Mass resignation: 50 senior doctors at RG Kar Hospital step down in solidarity with junior doctors' protest
PTC News Desk: In a significant show of solidarity with the protesting junior doctors, senior faculty members at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital submitted their resignations today. The resignation wave comes in the wake of widespread outrage over the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the facility. Visuals circulated on social media captured students applauding as the senior faculty took their stand.
The junior doctors, who have been on a hunger strike since Saturday, are demanding justice for their colleague and addressing a range of issues related to alleged corruption, threats, and mismanagement at the hospital. Their key demands include the establishment of a centralised referral system for hospitals across the state, implementation of a bed vacancy monitoring system, and the formation of task forces to ensure adequate provisions such as CCTV coverage, on-call rooms, and washroom facilities for medical staff.
They are also calling for increased police protection, the recruitment of permanent women police personnel, and the prompt hiring of doctors, nurses, and other essential healthcare workers to fill vacant positions.
Also Read: 70th National Film Awards: Date, time, and where to watch the live ceremony
The senior doctors' mass resignation came as a direct response to the lack of action from authorities. "There has been no response from the appropriate authority to solve and to save our children from an impending health disaster," said one of the resigning faculty members.
Earlier in the day, 15 senior doctors had already joined their junior colleagues in solidarity, participating in a symbolic hunger strike. The protest has coincided with the Durga Puja festivities in Kolkata, dampening the city’s celebrations as public anger over the incident grows.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant addressed the situation on Monday, reassuring the medical community that 90 per cent of ongoing improvement projects at state medical colleges would be completed by next month.
He urged the junior doctors to return to work, emphasising that efforts were being made to improve the hospital environment. "I request everyone to return to their duties. We are working towards ensuring a safer environment, and there is no disagreement on the larger objectives," he stated from the state secretariat.
- With inputs from agencies
