Protest Sparks Similar Movements at NRS Medical College as Doctors Demand Written Assurances on Safety
News in Short:
- Indefinite Strike: Junior doctors at Sagar Dutta Medical College and Hospital have announced an indefinite strike, demanding written assurances from the college council regarding their ten-point demands, despite verbal agreements.
- Safety Concerns: The doctors will not return to work until their safety is guaranteed, highlighting the lack of security measures, including the absence of CCTV cameras in critical areas of the hospital.
- Recent Violence: The strike follows an incident on Friday evening, where family members of a deceased patient allegedly harassed doctors, healthcare workers, and police at the hospital, leading to heightened tensions.
- Government Response: Health Secretary Narayan Swaroop Nigam and Barakpur Police Commissioner Alok Rajoria visited the hospital to address the situation and meet with the junior doctors, but the meeting ended prematurely with officials leaving in frustration.
- Spread of Protests: The unrest has spread to NRS Medical College and Hospital, where junior doctors are also contemplating a similar strike in solidarity with their counterparts at Sagar Dutta.
In a significant development, junior doctors at Sagar Dutta Medical College and Hospital have declared an indefinite strike in response to ongoing safety concerns and unmet demands for better working conditions. The decision comes after the college council’s recent meeting, where the junior doctors’ ten-point demands were verbally acknowledged but not formally documented.
The strike has arisen amidst fears for personal safety among medical staff, especially after a troubling incident last Friday evening. Family members of a patient who died due to alleged medical negligence reportedly assaulted doctors, healthcare workers, and even police personnel at the facility. This incident has raised alarms within the medical community, leading the junior doctors to demand immediate action to ensure their safety.
The junior doctors have made it clear that they will not resume their duties until there are concrete measures in place to protect them. They highlighted the lack of security infrastructure in and around the hospital, stating, “The hospital is situated by a pond, and there are many buildings under construction nearby. There are no CCTV cameras in key areas. Only when safety for doctors and nursing staff is assured will we consider returning to work.”
In an attempt to resolve the situation, Health Secretary Narayan Swaroop Nigam, along with Barakpur Police Commissioner Alok Rajoria and the health director, visited the hospital for discussions with the junior doctors. However, the meeting quickly fell apart, with both Nigam and the health director exiting prematurely, indicating a lack of progress in addressing the doctors’ concerns.
Frustrated by the lack of a written commitment to their demands, junior doctors decided to escalate their protest by walking out of the meeting and heading to the protest stage. “Until our safety is ensured, our strike will continue,” they declared.
The protests at Sagar Dutta Hospital have ignited solidarity among junior doctors at NRS Medical College and Hospital, where similar actions are being considered. Sources indicate that junior doctors there may also call for a strike in support of their colleagues.
This developing situation underlines the urgent need for healthcare authorities to address safety issues within medical institutions to protect the well-being of healthcare providers and ensure the smooth functioning of healthcare services.