GUWAHATI: At least 60 doctors in Calcutta Medical College resigned from their posts on Wednesday, October 9, following the alleged rape and murder of a fellow professional in August. This mass resignation comes a day after 50 senior doctors had abandoned their posts from RG Kar Medical College, the place where the incident had taken place.
ALSO READ: Nobel Prize In Chemistry 2024 Goes To David Baker, Demis Hassabis, And John M. Jumper
Doctors from both institutions have cited their decision to step down as an act of solidarity with their junior colleagues, who began a fast-unto-death protest on Saturday. The doctors have also vowed to carry the message of “Abhaya”—a call for protection of women and safety in workplaces—to Durga Puja pandals across the city, ensuring that the issue remains in the public eye during the festive season.
Following the mass resignation, a senior faculty member of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital clarified that the doctors would not immediately halt their work and would continue to care for patients for the time being. “Our junior doctors have been protesting for two months and are now on their third day of a hunger strike. Their health is worsening… Our primary aim is to send a clear message to the State administration, urging them to begin discussions with the junior doctors,” the faculty member reportedly said.
The mass resignations from two of Kolkata’s premier medical institutions reflect growing frustration among healthcare professionals with what they see as the government’s inadequate response to the crisis. Among the demands made by the protesting doctors is the immediate removal of West Bengal Health Secretary NS Nigam, accusing him of administrative incompetence and failing to address corruption in the department.
They are also calling for the implementation of systemic reforms, including a centralised referral system for all state hospitals and medical colleges, and the creation of a task force to ensure the provision of basic amenities such as CCTV surveillance, on-call rooms, and washrooms for medical staff.
As protests continue to intensify, the healthcare sector in West Bengal faces increasing instability, with no clear resolution in sight.