National desk
19 September
Sandeep Dhand Ludhiana
Doctors in West Bengal, who have been on strike for 41 days, announced that they will return to work starting Saturday, September 21. However, they will continue their fight for justice, stating that their protest is not yet over. While the doctors plan to resume some services, they will work only partially in emergency and essential services and refrain from OPD duties for the time being.
Before ending their sit-in protest, the doctors plan to march from Swasth Bhawan, the health department’s headquarters, to the CBI office on September 20. The sit-in protest outside Swasth Bhawan will be called off after this march.
The strike began over demands related to working conditions, safety, and justice for medical professionals, and the doctors have remained steadfast in their protest for over a month. Their demands gained momentum after the medical registration of Sandeep Ghosh, former principal of RG Kar Medical College, was canceled. Despite the prolonged strike, the doctors expressed their commitment to the community by offering to provide medical services in flood-affected areas.
Two days ago, the Mamata Banerjee government accepted many of the doctors’ demands, bringing some hope to the ongoing negotiations. However, the protesting doctors have stated that they will wait for a week to see if the government fulfills all of their demands before ending the strike entirely.
Although the doctors are returning to work, their fight for justice continues, as they remain vigilant in ensuring that the promises made by the government are met. If all their demands are fulfilled within the next week, they have indicated that the strike will be officially concluded.
[12:12 am, 20/9/2024] ਸੰਦੀਪ ਢੰਡ: