Kolkata Doctors Threaten Mass Resignation

Over 75 senior doctors at Kalyani JNM Hospital in West Bengal have threatened to resign en masse in support of junior doctors who are on a fast-unto-death to demand justice for the female postgraduate trainee doctor who was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College Hospital.

In an email to the Registrar of West Bengal Health University, a total of 77 doctors announced their intention to cease work starting October 14.

According to the PTI report, they cited "mental devastation" and "inability to work in the current state of mind" among the reasons behind the move.

In their communication, the doctors said they stand in solidarity with the junior medics on a fast-unto-death, whose health is deteriorating. They also expressed concern over the "apparent lack of visible effort from the state government to resolve the issue".

Also Read: Not Legally Acceptable: Bengal Govt on Mass Resignations by Doctors

The agitators have been demanding justice for the RG Kar hospital medic who was raped and murdered, immediate removal of Health Secretary N S Nigam, workplace security, and other measures.

The Kalyani JNM Hospital doctors have given authorities time till October 14 to take steps towards resolving the problem, failing which they plan to formally submit their mass resignation, news agency PTI reported.

Several doctors from state-run hospitals have already submitted collectively signed "resignation" letters to the West Bengal government over the issue in the last few days.

The state government had on Saturday said the mass resignation of doctors was not valid and it must be submitted individually, according to service rules.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has declared a 24-hour nationwide hunger strike on October 15 to support doctors in West Bengal and demand justice for the female postgraduate doctor who was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

Also Read: After 50 RG Kar medicos resign, More senior doctors join in support of junior doctors