Bengal doctors threaten statewide strike from Tuesday if Govt fails to meet key healthcare demands

Doctors across West Bengal, including junior and senior professionals, have warned of a full-scale strike in both government and private hospitals starting Tuesday if the state government fails to meet their demands by Monday. This decision follows a critical meeting held on Friday night, where junior doctor Debashish Haldar confirmed that the strike is set to proceed unless the government acts. The strike threatens to paralyze healthcare services across the state.

The junior doctors have been protesting for the past two months, demanding a full investigation into the RG Kar Medical College incident, where a female medic was raped and murdered, along with urgent reforms in healthcare services. So far, six junior doctors have fallen ill due to a hunger strike, with five being hospitalized. The doctors argue that patient care has been compromised for too long, and if their demands remain unmet, the state’s healthcare system will suffer further disruption.

Their demands focus on justice for the RG Kar incident and a complete overhaul of the state's healthcare system to ensure better working conditions and patient care. Debashish Haldar has also warned that any adverse impact on patients during the strike will be the responsibility of the government and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

To amplify their demands, the protesting doctors have organized a 'Nyay Yatra' (Justice March) today, which will begin from the house of the RG Kar victim and conclude at the protest site in Dharmatala. On Sunday, a 'Mahasammelan' (Grand Conference) is planned to further pressurize the government into taking action.

If the demands are not met by Monday, the doctors have made it clear that they will initiate a full-scale strike on Tuesday, leading to a significant breakdown in healthcare services across West Bengal.