Kolkata. A West Bengal health department official on Wednesday claimed that the mass resignations given by senior doctors at various medical colleges and hospitals in the state to express solidarity with their junior counterparts will not have any impact on the health services at these medical establishments. Is lying.
The official said that due to the ongoing Durga Puja festival across the state, the number of patients in out-patient departments remained very low, although senior and junior doctors, RMOs and assistant professors were present in hospitals across West Bengal for their routine duties.
Sunirmal Basu, a patient from Murshidabad who regularly visits the orthopedic department at RG Kar Hospital, said that the doctor whom he was consulting for the last 4-5 years was present in the OPD as per the scheduled time. Basu said, “I was apprehensive about whether the OPD would be operational or not, or whether doctors would be present or not. But the doctors were there like any normal day.” Another patient, who was already scheduled for cancer-related treatment, was also seen at the hospital.
The patient said on the condition of anonymity, “My treatment was scheduled today, which went well and I did not face any problems.” Senior doctors, however, warned that till Wednesday there was not much impact on services in state-run hospitals, but if there is no meaningful response from the state government, the situation may not remain the same in the coming days.
Dr Sandeep Sarkar, Assistant Professor, RG Kar Hospital, said, “Till date, we have worked keeping in mind the patients and their suffering. We want the government to come forward and do its duty.” A senior official of the state health department told PTI, “We have not yet received any official message from any doctor regarding their mass resignation. There is no such rule for offering mass resignation. If people want to resign, they have to follow a certain procedure. However, health services were not affected as no doctor was absent in any hospital today.”
According to the ‘Kolkata Medical College Resident Doctors Association’, several doctors and faculty members in Kolkata on Tuesday sent their mass resignation to the Director of Medical Education, following their colleagues at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital who resigned en masse. Around 35 doctors from North Bengal Medical College and Hospital in Siliguri also tendered mass resignation in support of the protest by junior doctors in Kolkata. This information was given by the forum of doctors of the medical unit.
The collective resignation letter of the doctors reads, “We, the teachers of North Bengal Medical College, are disappointed and demoralized to continue our services under such oppressive conditions. “With our students and juniors standing on the brink of disaster, we urge the higher authorities to address their demands and ensure resolution of this crisis without any delay.” It reads, “However, no such attempt has been seen so far, we request you to please accept our resignation from the West Bengal Medical Education Service.”
Dr. Sunit Hazra, orthopedic surgeon of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, said that the purpose of the resignations was to put pressure on the state government, which has maintained silence during the ongoing hunger strike of junior doctors. He said, “Our resignation is symbolic, the purpose of which is to motivate the government to join the discussion. We do not want patients to face problems. “We are treating them and will continue to do so because it is our duty and we are morally bound to do so.” Regarding the functioning of hospitals during festivals, Hazra said that the duty roster is prepared keeping in mind that everyone can be a part of the festivals.
He said, “Therefore, we know how to fill the place of the doctor in his absence. In hospitals, there is always a ‘backup’ for the doctor. If someone is absent, we immediately put someone on duty in his place so that health services are not affected.” Dr. Hiralal Konar, joint convenor of the Joint Forum of Doctors of West Bengal, said, “This trend (mass resignation) is spreading among the doctors in view of the fact that despite some young doctors being on fast unto death, there is no impact on the state government.” Is.”
He said, “Senior doctors have realized that only mass resignation can shake the state government. “We are waiting for the state government to come forward and resolve the issues as soon as possible so that there is no threat to the lives of those on hunger strike.” Another patient, Bikramjit Chattopadhyay, had to have his pacemaker battery replaced at SSKM Hospital. He said that the operation is as per schedule and will take place on Thursday. During Durga Puja, the OPD remains closed only on ‘Ashtami’ (which is on Friday this year) and remains open on the rest of the days during the puja.
A total of 54 senior doctors of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital had resigned en masse on Tuesday.
Doctors are protesting in West Bengal after the alleged rape and murder of a female doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in August.