Kolkata Doctors’ Strike Called Off, But Protest Persists Over Key Demands

After several days of disruption in healthcare services, doctors in Kolkata have called off their strike, but their protest against longstanding issues in the medical sector is far from over. The agitating healthcare professionals, who had previously staged a walkout, agreed to return to work following talks with the state government. However, the core grievances that prompted the strike remain unresolved, and doctors are determined to continue their movement until these demands are fully addressed.

The West Bengal government has acknowledged the doctors’ concerns but has yet to offer a comprehensive resolution to the critical issues raised. These issues say the doctors, are deeply rooted in the system and need immediate attention to ensure quality healthcare for both patients and medical professionals.

After two failed attempts to negotiate with the Mamata Banerjee-led administration, the doctors presented the following demands to the authorities.

Doctors’ Demands

On Monday, 42 doctors met with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and other government officials, agreeing on the majority of the medics’ demands.

The government approved ₹100 crore for hospital infrastructure development and patient welfare committee rebuilding, as per meeting minutes.

A special task group would also be formed, led by the chief secretary and comprised of the police commissioner and junior doctors.

The government would also establish a grievance redressal mechanism for hospitals and medical institutes.

The physicians demanded the resignation of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal over charges of mishandling the investigation and tampering with evidence. They also requested that the DC (North), Abhishek Gupta, be dismissed.

They also requested that the state’s Director of Health Services (DHS) and Director of Medical Education (DME) be removed from their positions.

On Tuesday, the government replaced Vineet Goyal with Manoj Kumar Verma. They also removed the DC (North) of Police, the DHS, and the DME from their positions.

In accordance with Supreme Court directives, the government is striving to implement updated safety procedures such as CCTV cameras and additional police deployments at hospitals.

However, the task force has yet to be formed, as has a thorough framework for grievance redressal.

While doctors celebrated when the police commissioner and health officials were changed, many were suspicious that the government would follow through on their demands.

Aniket Mahata, a junior doctor, told HT that protests would continue till the government made progress on all fronts. “The administration should resolve these concerns so that we can continue our duties as soon as possible. “The sit-in will continue,” he announced.