To address the ongoing strike by junior doctors, Dr Manoj Pant, Chief Secretary of the Government of West Bengal, issued a letter today proposing a crucial meeting to restore normalcy in the state’s healthcare services.
The letter, dated Thursday, September 12, 2024, outlines the government's willingness to engage in dialogue with the protesting doctors to ensure the continuation of essential health services.
The proposed meeting is scheduled for 5 pm today in the conference hall at Nabanna. The letter specifies that only a delegate team of 15 members will be permitted to attend to facilitate a focused discussion. The meeting will be recorded to maintain transparency, though it will not be live telecast. This arrangement is intended to document the proceedings accurately while preserving the sanctity of the discussions.
This development follows extensive correspondence between the government and the doctors, who have been advocating for justice following the tragic rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. In previous communications, the doctors had requested that the meeting be live-streamed to ensure public accountability. The government’s decision to record but not broadcast the meeting live aims to address the doctors’ concerns while maintaining control over the meeting’s environment.
The ongoing protests underscore the doctors' demand for justice and enhanced safety measures within the healthcare system. The outcome of today’s meeting will be pivotal in determining whether the strike will be called off and normalcy restored in the state’s medical institutions.