Kolkata, Oct 8: More than 45 senior doctors and faculty members at RG Kar Medical Centre and Hospital have resigned in protest against the horrific rape and murder of a trainee doctor that occurred within the hospital in August. Their resignations coincide with ongoing protests by junior doctors, who are on a ‘fast-unto-death’ hunger strike demanding justice and improved security in hospitals.
The senior doctors voiced their solidarity with their junior colleagues, noting that their demands have not been met and that there has been no progress in the investigation. In their resignation letter, they urged the hospital administration to engage in discussions with the protesting doctors, whose health is deteriorating due to their hunger strike.
“We, the senior doctors of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, are submitting mass resignations as the government appears indifferent to the worsening condition of the doctors on hunger strike,” they wrote, warning that individual resignations may follow if the situation does not improve.
The Joint Platform of Doctors (JPD) has also expressed support for the junior doctors, stating that many senior doctors are willing to resign in solidarity. JPD joint convenors Punyabrata Gun and Hiralal Konar criticized the lack of response from authorities regarding the ongoing protests, which have lasted for five days, emphasizing the need for attention to issues related to patient safety and campus democracy.
