West Bengal junior doctors are ending their 41-day protest today. The doctors, who have been protesting to seek justice for the misbehavior and murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical Center, have decided to stop the strike.
The Junior Doctors Association, after demanding justice for Abhay for 41 days, has called off their protest. Doctors will resume emergency medical services today but will not provide OPD services.
Although they are ending their protest, the doctors’ union is determined to continue fighting for justice. They plan to continue their movement by setting up “Abhya Camps” in West Bengal’s flood-affected areas.
Doctors at RG College started the strike on August 9, after the incident involving the junior doctor. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had repeatedly urged them to return to work. Eventually, the government agreed to three out of the five demands, including the removal of the Police Commissioner, the Health Education Director, and the Health Services Director. Vinit Goyal, the Police Commissioner, has been replaced by a new IPS officer.
Dr. Asfaq, a member of the Medical Association, announced that they will march to the CBI office today, demanding an immediate investigation. The doctors will fully restore essential services by Saturday.
He also mentioned that they will give the West Bengal government a few weeks to fulfill all promises. If the government does not act, they will resume their strike.