KOLKATA: Junior doctors resumed work in emergency wards at state-run hospitals on Saturday, after a 42-day cease-work to protest against the rape and murder of a PGT doctor at R G Kar Medical College on Aug 9. Though doctors stayed away from OPD duties to mark the continuation of their protest, patients and families were visibly relieved that they would not have to wait too long for emergency treatment, the ordeal they faced the past month.
During TOI’s visit to the emergency wards of different govt hospitals on Saturday, it was found that most junior doctors were back to work, while some had gone to flood-affected districts with their Abhaya clinics. At R G Kar, the epicentre of the protests, about 60-odd junior doctors had returned to the trauma care unit. Some even participated in an emergency surgery on the very first day.
“We have started returning to our respective departments since this morning. But we have resumed work in essential and emergency services only, not at OPDs. This is a partial resumption of duties and we will not dismantle the ‘dharna manch’ right now,” said Aniket Mahata, one of the protesting doctors at RG Kar. Mahata said they would wait for another seven days for the administration to meet their demands, which include justice for the rape and murder victim and removal of the state health secretary. “The CBI investigation is moving at a slow pace. So far, we have not received any assurance about our safety and security. If our demands are not met, we will resume cease-work,” he told reporters.
This resumption of work, albeit partial, came as a blessing for hundreds of patients, who said they supported the protest but at the same time, could not afford to wait any more for treatment. Among them was Sukanta Saha, an app-cab biker, who was admitted to RG Kar on Aug 7 after he met with an accident. “Most other patients, who were undergoing treatment along with me, were shifted elsewhere as the doctors suspended work on Aug 9. I was released on Aug 12 after I signed a bond. I returned to the hospital for check-ups but had to wait for eternity as only a few senior doctors attended to a large number of patients,” Saha said. “The check-up at the emergency was finally carried out smoothly on Saturday.”
At Medical College and Hospital, around 100 junior doctors rejoined duties. Among them was Smarajit Dwan, who said, “We have joined work but our safety and security issues have not yet been properly addressed.” His colleague, Akash Das, said, “Rejoining work after 42 days evokes mixed emotions in me. While we are happy attending to patients, we are unhappy that the issues highlighted by us are yet to be addressed.”
Patients and their families at MCH were happy with the doctors returning to work. Soumadip Bhattacharjee from Badu in Madhyamgram said, “My neighbour was taken ill and we brought him to the emergency at MCH. We got quick service as junior doctors are back in the emergency ward.”
Soumyajit Kumar, an intern at NRS Medical College, said, “We resumed work in the emergency but the cease-work is on in OPD. I am happy to join back work but I think, the protest is essential for a safe environment for doctors at govt hospitals.” His colleague, Subham Sarkar, said, “Until the authorities guarantee our safety, we will continue our partial strike. Our next course of action will depend on the hearing on March 27.”
Priyanka Mondal, who visited the hospital from Bongaon, said, “It’s a great relief. Now that the junior doctors are back in the emergency ward, my brother-in-law, suffering from brain and lung cancer, will finally receive the much-needed care.”
