West Bengal : No Breakthrough ! The indefinite hunger strike by junior doctors enters 10th Day

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The indefinite hunger strike by junior doctors in Bengal entered its 10th day  with no resolution in sight after a meeting between medics and the state government failed to resolve the deadlock, even as two more doctors participating in the ‘fast-unto-death’ fell ill, further fueling the ongoing unrest sparked by the rape-murder of their colleague at RG Kar hospital.

According to PTI, A crucial meeting between representatives from 12 doctors’ associations and Chief Secretary Manoj Pant held at Swasthya Bhavan concluded without any resolution.

The doctors had hoped for a clear timeline from the state government to address their demands, but sources indicate that the administration was reluctant to commit to any deadlines.

“For the remaining three demands, they were requesting specific timelines. These are administrative decisions that the state needs to consider, so we cannot provide a deadline at this point. We assured them that we have noted their issues and grievances. We urged them to persuade the junior doctors to withdraw their hunger strike, as we are concerned about their health and well-being,” the bureaucrat added.

“Let them return so we can work together toward our common goals. Our intentions are clear,” Pant said.

During the meeting, the chief secretary was accompanied by Home Secretary Nandini Chakraborty and senior officials from the state health department.

The doctors’ hunger strike began on October 5, following nearly 50 days of ‘cease work’ in two phases, after the rape-murder of a postgraduate trainee inside state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.