Mon Oct 14 06:21:11 UTC 2024: ## Doctors Nationwide Stand in Solidarity with West Bengal Protest Over Murdered Medic

**Kolkata, India** – In a show of solidarity with junior doctors in West Bengal protesting the rape and murder of a 31-year-old woman medic, the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has paused its nationwide shutdown of elective services in hospitals. This decision comes after the West Bengal government called a meeting with key doctors’ bodies to discuss their demands.

The FAIMA has stated that they will carefully monitor the outcome of this meeting, scheduled for Monday, to ensure it addresses the demands of the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front (WBJDF). Should the meeting fail to produce satisfactory results, the FAIMA will proceed with a complete nationwide boycott of elective services from October 15th onwards.

The junior doctors in West Bengal have been engaged in a fast-unto-death since October 5th, demanding justice for the woman medic who was murdered at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9th. This action follows nearly 50 days of ‘cease work’ in two phases. Their other demands include the establishment of a centralised referral system for hospitals, a bed vacancy monitoring system, and the formation of task forces to ensure essential provisions for CCTV, on-call rooms, and washrooms at their workplaces. Three doctors have been hospitalized due to the deteriorating health conditions caused by their fast.

The FAIMA, in a letter addressed to national and state medical associations, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that they were compelled to take this action due to the government’s inaction and the continued disregard for their safety. They expressed their deep concern over the lack of response to their previous appeals, highlighting the need to ensure the safety and well-being of medical professionals.

“We cannot afford to lose another colleague to violence or neglect,” the FAIMA stated. “The apathy of the government has left us with no other choice.”

The nationwide solidarity action by the doctors has sparked concern over the potential impact on public health, but the FAIMA has assured that emergency services will remain unaffected.

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