Two more junior doctors join hunger strike in Bengal, now entering day 8

The hunger strike by junior doctors in West Bengal has entered its eighth day, with two additional doctors joining the protest, bringing the total number of fasting medics to ten across the state. Parichoy Panda from Ramakrishna Mission Seva Pratishthan and Alolika Ghorui from Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital joined their colleagues on Saturday. The ongoing protest is demanding justice for their murdered colleague, a woman medic from RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, whose tragic death has heightened concerns over safety and security for medical professionals in the state.

As the strike progresses, the health of the fasting doctors has severely deteriorated. Colleagues have reported that many are exhibiting alarming health parameters, including increased creatinine levels in their urine, indicating potential kidney issues. Aniket Mahato, who started his hunger strike on October 6, was admitted to the critical care unit of RG Kar Hospital due to his declining health. Although his condition is now described as "critical but stable," he is responding positively to treatment. Medical teams continue to monitor his progress closely, emphasizing the need for more recovery time.

Reports have emerged that police are allegedly pressuring the families of some fasting doctors to persuade them to withdraw from the hunger strike. Junior doctors Snigdha Hazra and Alok Verma reported receiving calls from law enforcement urging their families to intervene due to concerns about their health. Hazra’s family received visits from police, while Verma confirmed his mother was contacted by Bengal Police, prompting fears about the increasing tension surrounding the protests.

In response to the situation, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to intervene before the protests escalate further. The Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA) has warned of a nationwide shutdown of medical services if any harm comes to the fasting doctors. IMA national president RV Asokan visited the protest site to express solidarity with the junior doctors, praising their commitment to advocating for their late colleague and demanding systemic changes in healthcare safety.

The junior doctors are seeking a range of reforms, including the immediate removal of Health Secretary N. S. Nigam, the establishment of a centralized referral system for hospitals, and enhanced police protection within medical facilities. They are also advocating for a monitoring system for bed vacancies and the swift filling of vacant healthcare positions. The state government has responded with promises to improve security measures, including installing over 7,000 CCTV cameras and enhancing medical facilities across hospitals. However, the doctors maintain that these measures are insufficient without tangible action and accountability. As the hunger strike continues, the junior doctors have encouraged public support by calling for a day of "Arandhan" (no cooking) to raise awareness about their cause, reminiscent of similar historical protests.