FAIMA's Final Ultimatum to CM Mamata in RG Kar Case, Says 'Festivities & Carnivals Can Wait'

Kolkata: The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) on Tuesday, October 15, issued a final ultimatum to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee following the state's status report.

The federation in a notice to CM Mamata said, "We, the Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA), write to express our profound disappointment and grave concern regarding the status report submitted to us by your office in response to the pressing demands of the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front (WBJDF)," the statement read.

"We have received a status report as a trail mail, from the Chief Secretary of West Bengal. After a meticulous review, it is evident that the report fails to address the core issues raised by the junior doctors who are currently on an indefinite hunger strike. We request you to kindly consider this letter as a response to the state's status report and an urgent call for immediate action," it added further.

The federation further alleged that because "this  arrogant and insensitive attitude of the state government, it is pushed to the walls and are forced to initiate our nationwide call for a boycott of elective services by resident doctors on 15th October, 2024, in solidarity with the WBJDF."

It called for indefinite, RDAs across the country and stated that it would be forced to declare a shutdown of elective services till the time the government agrees to sit down and issue written directives ensuring a safe and sound healthcare system.

The body laid out a list of observations including a lack of written assurance and directives and a critical analysis of the state's response, from the Status report shared by Bengal's Chief Secretary's office.

Doctors' Indefinite Hunger Strike Enters 11th Day

The indefinite hunger strike of Bengal junior doctors to press for their demands in the wake of the RG Kar Hospital incident entered the 11th day on Tuesday, as a meeting between medics and the state government failed to resolve the deadlock.

Two more doctors participating in the 'fast-unto-death' in the Esplanade area of Kolkata fell ill, further fueling the ongoing unrest sparked by the rape and murder of their colleague at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

A crucial meeting between representatives from 12 doctors' associations and Chief Secretary Manoj Pant held at Swasthya Bhavan on Monday concluded without any resolution.

(Inputs from PTI)