Kolkata: Health care services in government hospitals were severely affected as the protest by junior doctors at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital in West Bengal continued for the 13th day on Wednesday against the alleged rape and murder of an intern doctor.
Officials said that in many hospitals, senior doctors have been asked to join duty in place of junior doctors. Along with this, the state government has requested the protesters to resume work.
A junior doctor told PTI, “Our agitation will continue till our sister gets justice. We understand that patients are facing problems, but our demands are justified.” A postgraduate trainee doctor was allegedly raped and then killed while on duty at the government RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9. The doctor’s body was found in the seminar hall and had marks of serious injuries on it.
Long queues of patients were seen outside ticket counters of government hospitals and services in out-patient departments (OPDs) and non-emergency units remained affected. “We are not issuing tickets till it is confirmed that the concerned doctor is present on duty,” a senior doctor at the Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital told PTI.
Every morning a large number of patients are coming to the hospital for treatment, but there are very few doctors. He said some doctors have postponed many surgeries due to the absence of junior doctors.
The protesting doctors are scheduled to hold a rally in Kolkata on Wednesday to demand speedy justice for the deceased’s family. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court had requested the protesting doctors across the country to end the strike and return to work.