Junior Doctors Continue Ceasework, Demand Swift Justice in Kolkata

Junior doctors in Kolkata have intensified their protest following the brutal rape and murder of a woman doctor at a state-run medical college. The ceasework, which began earlier this week, has disrupted healthcare services across the city, with long queues forming at out-patient departments (OPDs) as senior doctors attempt to manage the influx of patients.

Key Developments:

• Protest Continuation: The junior doctors have made it clear that their protest will continue until their demands for a judicial probe are met. They are calling for a thorough investigation into the incident and have set a deadline of August 14 for the Kolkata Police to complete their inquiry.
• State Government's Response: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has stepped in, visiting the parents of the deceased doctor and giving the Kolkata Police a deadline of August 18 to solve the case. She has also stated that if the police fail to meet this deadline, the matter will be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
• Impact on Healthcare: The ongoing protest has significantly impacted healthcare services, with senior doctors stepping in to handle the situation. However, many patients scheduled for surgeries and other treatments have had their appointments postponed, adding to the public's frustration.

Important Points:

• The body of the woman doctor was discovered on Friday morning in a seminar hall at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
• A civic volunteer was taken into custody on Saturday in connection with the crime.
• The state government has canceled the leaves of all senior doctors to manage the patient load in the absence of junior doctors.
• The junior doctors have ceased all work, including emergency duties, as of Monday morning.

This situation continues to develop, with the junior doctors resolute in their demands for justice and improved security measures in hospitals.