In a crucial development, the West Bengal government has agreed to two key demands put forth by junior doctors during their ongoing strike. The junior doctors met with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at Nabanna on Monday, where their demands for better safety measures and an end to campus politics were accepted by the state. However, the strike will continue as the doctors await a formal written assurance from the government.
The meeting, which took place at Nabanna around 7:38 PM and lasted nearly two hours, saw junior doctors discussing their demands with the Chief Secretary, Health Secretary, and Director General of Police (DGP). Some of the demands include the creation of restrooms and washrooms for junior doctors, better transparency regarding hospital bed availability via websites, formation of a task force involving junior doctors, and permanent recruitment instead of contractual hiring.
Despite the positive discussions, the junior doctors have stated that they will not call off their strike until the government provides a written commitment to fulfill their demands. The state has requested some time to implement the agreed measures. In the meantime, junior doctors continue their protest in front of Swasthya Bhavan, seeking further assurance from the government.