For the last one week Doctors strike in Bengal made a headlines all across the country. Which was due to Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee’s high headedness and attitude towards Junior/Resident Doctors of the state. First she made the statement that all the doctors who are on strike are from out of Bengal and are being instigated by BJP. Second she said that as per the instructions received from BJP they are refusing to treat patients from Muslim community and thirdly she openly threatened the Doctors that she will arrest them, and will ask them to vacate their hostel accommodation inside the hospital, and what not she spoke against them.
Actually the trouble started when relatives/friends of the patient who expired, attacked the attending doctors. It was really surprising that within few minutes of death so many people gathered at the hospital with all the preparations for attacking the doctors. As per the reports most of the people were hooligans and were not even related to the patient and all of them belonged to the particular community (Muslim) and were supporters of of Mamta Banerjee’s party TMC.
The news spread across the country and doctors in Bengal getting support from the doctors of other states, even Indian Medical Association (IMA) got involved and they also supported doctors and called for nationwide strike by the doctors in Govt and other hospitals.
In the meantime doctors refused to have closed door meeting with Mamata Banerjee and their association spoke person said that they are ready to meet her in the presence of Press and other media people.
So in the end Mamta Banerjee blinked and agreed to meet the doctors in others presence. So yesterday she met the delegation of protesting doctors and persuaded them to call off the strike and agreed for all the demands put by doctors. She accepted their demands, suggesting a 10 point plan to ensure the security at the hospitals. The meeting, held in presence of media, came as hospitals around the country suspended all but essential services in solidarity with Bengal doctors. The matter has reached Supreme court, which agreed to hear a petition about the safety of doctors.
Now there are some points to ponder – what Mamta Banerjee spoke in the meeting yesterday and what she earlier said
1 We are proud of our doctors. You may be angry with my government but please go back to work. I will be very happy if you announce the end of your cease work now,” she told the doctors after the meeting. She also added that the people must be sensitised, “all patients are not bad”.
2 “We came here for discussion because we want a solution… We believe that you have good intentions. If possible, please take appropriate action against the unwanted incidents that have taken place,” the doctors said during the meeting on Monday.
3 Union minister Babul Supriyo said Mamata Banerjee was responsible for the medical crisis across the country. “Had Mamata not been an egotist, she should have met the injured doctors on the first day and provided then with securirty. But Mamata rebuked them and threatened them with ESMA (a law against strikes by employees in essential services), and politicised the issue”, he added.
4 Monday’s meeting was held after a week of ups and downs that started with the Chief Minister’s visit to the state-run SSKM hospital, where the injured doctor is fighting for his life. On the occasion, the Chief Minister had accused the striking doctors of being “outsiders” and promised tough action, including eviction from hostels, if they did not end the strike.
5 Her words had incurred the wrath of the junior doctors who insisted on continuing the strike if their demands – including stronger security and an unconditional apology from the Chief Minister – were not met.
6 After six days of strike, which saw shut Out-Patient Departments, an end to elective surgeries and diagnostic services and affected thousands of patients, the doctors indicated on Sunday that they were ready for talks.
7 The strike, meanwhile spread and on Monday, following a call by the Indian Medical Association, non-essential services — which include Out Patient Departments, elective surgeries and diagnostic tests – were cancelled in hospitals across the country.
8 The Indian Medical Association has called for a comprehensive law in dealing with violence on doctors and healthcare staff. It also wants security measures to be specified.
9 Union Health Minister Harshvardhan told that the Centre has decided to study the possibility of a new law on doctors’ security. “I have written to all Chief Ministers including Mamata Banerjee. But we will also try to bring a fresh law at the Centre,” he said, adding such an attempt was once made in 2017.
10 A resident doctor at the Trauma Centre of the premier All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi was allegedly abused and threatened by the drunk relatives of a patient on Sunday night, pushing the doctors to join the strike.
This episode of strike by Bengal Doctors, have given a big jolt to Mamta Banerjee, unless she start working for everyone in the state her political career will be affected, presently she only works for the particular community (Muslims ). Once she even issued order to stop the immersions of Durga Idols during last day of Durga Pooja because of Muhurram, but after the court’s intervention had to back track. She should have realised at that time what Durga Pooja meant to Bengalis. Secondly , she being an activist herself, before becoming CM, should realise that some times collective strength of even educated mass can bring you to your knees. I hope in her case better sense will prevail.
Awaiting your views/comments/feedbacks.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
18th Jun 2019.
R. N. Mungale.
Yes. Better sense should prevail!