West Bengal Health Crisis Continues Amid Justice Demand for Doctor

Healthcare services in West Bengal remain disrupted as junior doctors persist with their strike for justice for a female colleague who was raped and murdered. OPD operations were minimal on Sunday while emergency departments provided limited care. The case is now under CBI investigation.

Healthcare services remained disrupted in West Bengal for the tenth consecutive day as junior doctors at state-run hospitals continued their strike demanding justice for a female colleague who was brutally raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

On Sundays, outpatient departments (OPDs) at government hospitals are usually closed, leading to reduced patient inflow. Nonetheless, senior doctors were present to attend to emergencies.

'We do not aim to disrupt healthcare services. We understand the patients' difficulties but our protest is crucial under these circumstances. An on-duty doctor was raped and killed. How can we feel safe? We will continue our protest until justice is served and the government provides comprehensive security for us,' a protesting doctor told PTI.

The tragedy came to light when the woman's body was discovered inside a hospital seminar hall on August 9. A civic volunteer has been arrested in connection with the crime. The junior doctors are demanding swift justice, the publication of the post-mortem report, and the punishment of those responsible. The Calcutta High Court transferred the case from the Kolkata Police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which took over the probe on August 14.