Kolkata Latest News: Political Influence in Junior Doctors' Protest

Kolkata News on Junior Doctors' Protest and Political Influence

KOLKATA: The junior doctors’ agitation has lost focus and is now being controlled by political forces not interested in seeking justice for the victim or reforming the health system, believe a section of doctors across state and private hospitals. Even though they support the demands, they have stopped identifying with the methods being employed to achieve them.

Repeated cease-work calls and a hunger strike to press for health reforms were akin to holding the state at ransom, especially when the government has reached out to them with a promise to resolve the issues. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee spoke over the phone to the agitating doctors, indicating that the government is indeed sympathetic to their demands.

Concerns Raised by Senior Physicians

Senior oncologist Subir Ganguly stated, “The doctors should reciprocate by responding to the call for a meeting and look to solve the crisis.” He emphasized that while some demands remain unmet, normalcy at hospitals must be restored for the sake of patients.

• “It was high time that the agitation was called off,” said IPGMER professor Diptendra Sarkar.
• Medical Service Centre state secretary Biplab Chandra expressed hope that a solution will be reached at Monday’s meeting between doctors and the CM.
• Another doctor associated with the agitation pointed out that political interests have overshadowed the original demands, reducing the protest’s efficacy.
• Internal medicine consultant Arindam Biswas remarked that “repeated cease-works are as detrimental to the health system as the ills against which the doctors are now agitating.”

This evolving situation highlights the need for junior doctors to engage in productive dialogue that emphasizes patient care and essential health system reforms.