RG Kar Case: Bengal Govt Silent As Condition of Fasting Medics Deteriorate, Doctors' Body Warns Of Nationwide Shutdown

Kolkata: The condition of agitating junior doctors in West Bengal's capital deteriorated as they continued their fast-unto-death on Saturday, demanding justice over the rape and murder of their colleague at Kolkata's RG Kar hospital. Junior Medics' protests have prompted the Indian Medical Association (IMA) to urge Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to intervene before the situation escalates. Further, the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) warned that it would declare a nationwide "complete shutdown of medical services" if any "any harm befalls brave junior doctors". IMA national president RV Asokan met the fasting junior doctors to hear their concerns. Asokan called on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to address the situation immediately without "wasting any time". A postgraduate trainee doctor was brutally raped and murdered at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in August. Asokan noted that while the junior doctors did not discuss ending their fast, they remained focused on their demands and confident in their pursuit of justice for their late colleague. The doctors have been demanding justice for their murdered colleague along with a safer working environment and immediate removal of Health Secretary NS Nigam.After visiting another junior medic admitted to RG Kar Hospital, he expressed his admiration for the protesters, stating, "I am touched by the way these children are fighting for the cause of the people and not for themselves. They are the real heroes, and we are all very proud of them."

One Protesting Doctor 'Critical'Seven junior doctors have been on a fast-unto-death since Saturday night, supported by several senior colleagues who joined them in solidarity. The junior doctors who were sitting on the fast are Aniket Mahato of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Snigdha Hazra, Tanaya Panja and Anustup Mukhopadhyay of Kolkata Medical College, Arnab Mukhopadhyay of SSKM Hospital, Pulastha Acharya of NRS Medical College and Hospital, and Sayantani Ghosh Hazra of KPC Medical College.Meanwhile, the health condition of Aniket Mahato, a junior doctor who has been hospitalised after his condition deteriorated due to his fast since Sunday, is reported to be "critical but stable," with signs of improvement. He began responding to treatment, according to a member of the five-doctor team monitoring him in the critical care unit. He was admitted to the state-run hospital on Thursday night. IMA Says Bengal Govt Duty-Bound To Accept Doable Demands In a letter sent on Thursday that was made public on Friday, the IMA urged West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to resolve the issues of the junior doctors, saying a safe working environment is not a luxury but a prerequisite. In the letter, the IMA said it has been almost a week since the young doctors started the hunger strike and they deserve her "immediate attention". "The medical fraternity of the nation stands solidly behind them (protesting doctors). The Indian Medical Association stands in solidarity with these heroes. Let us light a lamp of hope today evening praying for the health and safety of these finest graduates of medicine," the medical body said. "In this dark hour, the IMA appeals to the young doctors to step down from the most severe form of protest. Nothing is more precious than a human life. The state is duty-bound to de-escalate the situation by accepting the eminently doable demands," it added. (With agency inputs)