Ranchi, Oct 9: While medical professionals across the country remain largely silent, resident doctors at the Ranchi Central Institute of Psychiatry (CIP) have stepped up to support the hunger strike and demands of junior doctors at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata.
In a show of solidarity, the Resident Doctors’ Association of CIP Ranchi has sent a letter of support to their Kolkata counterparts, expressing their backing for the ongoing agitation.
Unmet demands and ongoing hunger strike
The junior doctors at RG Kar Medical College have been on hunger strike for four days, advocating for the fulfillment of unmet demands following the murder of a trainee doctor on August 9 at RG Kar Medical College Hospital.
Their primary demands include judicial action against the perpetrator, the removal of the health secretary due to alleged incompetence and corruption, police protection in hospitals, and the deployment of female police personnel.
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Support for striking doctors
In a significant show of solidarity, 50 senior doctors have submitted their resignations to the Bengal government in support of the junior doctors’ hunger strike.
“It has been more than 72 hours that junior doctors of RG Kar Medical College Hospital have been on hunger strike in protest of their unmet demands. CIP Resident Doctors’ Association Ranchi supports action and expresses solidarity with them,” said Dr. Avinash Vipin, media secretary of the Association.
Condemnation of violence against medical professionals
The CIP Resident Doctors’ Association has also condemned the recent violent attack on a doctor at Lala Lajpat Rai Memorial Medical College in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, as well as the murder of a medico at Nima Hospital.
“The medical fraternity is shocked and in grief from these incidents. We stand in solidarity with the victims and demand urgent action to secure a safe working environment for all doctors. The authorities must act swiftly to ensure that healthcare professionals can perform their duty without fear for their safety,” stated the CIP Resident Doctors’ Association.
