NEW DELHI: Healthcare services in West Bengal remained unaffected despite the mass resignation of senior doctors, an official from the state health department stated on Wednesday. The resignations were meant to show solidarity with junior doctors, who are currently protesting.
Patient numbers in outpatient departments were low due to Durga Puja festivities.The health official confirmed that both senior and junior doctors, along with Resident Medical Officers (RMOs) and assistant professors, were present to perform their duties.
“No official communication regarding the mass resignations has been received. There is a procedure for resignations that must be followed. Healthcare services were not disrupted since no doctor was absent today,” the official stated.
Several doctors and faculty members from Kolkata reportedly followed suit after their colleagues from RG Kar Medical College and Hospital resigned en masse on Tuesday. Around 35 doctors from North Bengal Medical College in Siliguri also submitted their resignations in support of the protest.
“We, the teachers of North Bengal Medical College, are dismayed and discouraged to continue our services under such oppressive circumstances,” their resignation letter to the state government read, urging authorities to address the ongoing crisis.
Patients at various hospitals indicated that their regular treatments were continuing as planned. Dr Sunit Hazra from RG Kar Medical College explained that the resignations were symbolic, meant to pressure the state government into dialogue. “Our resignation is symbolic, aimed at prompting the government to engage in discussions. We do not want the patients to suffer,” he said.
Dr Hiralal Konar, joint convener of the doctors’ platform, noted, “The senior doctors have realised that only mass resignation could move the state government. We are waiting for the state government to come forward and address the issues as soon as possible.”
Despite the ongoing protests, some patients assured their scheduled procedures were still on track. However, senior doctors cautioned that the situation could worsen without a timely resolution from the state government.
Doctors in West Bengal began their protest after the alleged rape and murder of a woman medic at RG Kar Medical College in August.
(The victim’s identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)
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