RG Kar Hospital Fast-Unto-Death Protest: The number of junior doctors on an indefinite fast across West Bengal has risen to 10 as two more medics joined the protest on Saturday, demanding justice for a murdered woman doctor at RG Kar Hospital and other critical healthcare issues.Two more junior doctors on fast-unto-deathParichoy Panda from Ramakrishna Mission Seva Pratishthan and Alolika Ghorui from Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital joined the protest, which began a week ago. This brings the total number of fasting doctors in the state to 10, including two from North Bengal Medical College in Siliguri.The doctors, who have been fasting since October 5, are raising concerns over safety, working conditions, and seeking justice for the slain medic. The health condition of those on hunger strike has deteriorated significantly, according to fellow medics.Doctors health deteriorates“Their health parameters are declining,” said Dr. Debasish Halder, one of the protesting doctors. “They are extremely weak, with increasing creatinine levels in their urine. Despite seven days without food taking a serious toll on their health, their determination for justice remains strong.”One of the junior doctors, Aniket Mahato, who joined the fast on October 6, was admitted to the Critical Care Unit (CCU) of RG Kar Hospital after his condition worsened. A senior doctor at the hospital stated, “His condition is critical but stable. He is responding to treatment but will need several more days to recover fully.”Allegations of police pressureAmid the growing tensions, two of the fasting doctors accused the police of pressuring their families to convince them to end the hunger strike. Snigdha Hazra from Kolkata Medical College and Hospital and Alok Verma from North Bengal Medical College alleged that their family members received calls from the police urging them to withdraw from the protest.Verma stated, “My mother received a call from the Bengal Police, who informed her that my health was deteriorating and urged her to ask me to stop. I told her I will continue and will not listen to them.” Video footage has surfaced on social media showing police visiting Hazras home in Bankura, further fueling concerns. Senior police officials have yet to comment on the accusations.Medical Associations warn of nationwide shutdownIn response to the worsening situation, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to intervene before the crisis escalates. Additionally, the Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA) has warned of a nationwide “complete shutdown of medical services” if harm comes to the protesting doctors.The protesting doctors are demanding several reforms, including justice for the murdered medic, the removal of Health Secretary N S Nigam, the establishment of a centralized referral system for hospitals, a bed vacancy monitoring system, increased police protection in hospitals, and rapid filling of healthcare vacancies.Mass resignations in solidarityIn a show of solidarity, 38 doctors from Arambagh Medical College and Hospital have decided to submit mass resignations, an official revealed, further intensifying the pressure on the authorities to address the doctors demands.
