Under intense pressure both from within and outside, junior doctors in West Bengal are showing signs of wanting to end their ongoing strike and return to work. This sentiment was evident during a rally held in Dharmatala on Wednesday, where both junior doctors and senior physicians voiced their opinions, hinting at a possible resolution. Efforts are now underway to find a face-saving exit strategy for the protesting doctors.
During the rally, medical students from Medical College joined the march organized by the Junior Doctors’ Front. These students, after gauging public sentiment, expressed their support for calling off the strike. In many district medical colleges, doctors had not fully participated in the strike. Institutions like Burdwan, Bankura, Jhargram, North Bengal, Cooch Behar, and Alipurduar Medical Colleges saw junior doctors continuing their duties, especially in emergency services and indoor patient care.
Another factor influencing the junior doctors’ decision is the upcoming Post Graduate Trainee (PGT) third-year examinations in April. Failure to maintain 80% attendance would prevent them from obtaining the National Medical Commission’s (NMC) clearance, barring them from sitting for their exams. This academic concern is weighing heavily on the minds of many doctors.
In addition to the academic pressure, junior doctors are also feeling the strain from patients and their families, with hospitals across the state facing a heavy influx of cases. Families of the doctors themselves are also urging them to return to work, adding to their internal conflicts. Faced with these challenges, a large section of junior doctors is seeking a way to resume work, as they feel that public interest in their protest is dwindling.
There is also a clear rift among different factions within the strike movement. Left-wing groups, particularly ultra-left organizations and the SUCI-affiliated Medical Service Centre, are insistent on continuing the strike, even at the cost of halting patient services. They are determined to keep the movement alive to maintain their relevance. On the other hand, a significant number of junior doctors are keen to withdraw from the strike and resume their duties. This sentiment was further highlighted by junior doctors’ representative Debashis Haldar, who stated, “We will step back from the strike for the sake of the people. We will return to work for them, but the movement will continue.” His statement echoed the position of many junior doctors who feel the strike should end, but their fight for systemic changes must persist.
Senior physician Punnyabrata Goon also emphasized that any movement must prioritize the welfare of the people. “If we are to continue the protest, we must keep the interests of the public at the forefront,” he said. Another senior doctor, Kinjol Nanda, echoed similar thoughts, adding, “This isn’t just a protest for doctors; it’s for the safety of patients as well. We, too, want to return to work.”
A crucial meeting between junior and senior doctors is scheduled for Thursday, where discussions on ending the strike will take place. Many junior doctors are hopeful that this meeting will provide a solution that allows them to return to work while preserving their dignity. A decision to officially call off the strike may emerge following this meeting.