Healthcare Crisis in West Bengal Amid Junior Doctors' Protest

Healthcare services in West Bengal have been severely disrupted due to a prolonged protest by junior doctors demanding justice for a colleague who was allegedly raped and murdered. The Supreme Court has directed the doctors to resume work, but junior doctors insist on continuing the strike until justice is served.

Healthcare services across West Bengal have been significantly disrupted for over a month due to a cease-work protest by junior doctors demanding justice for a colleague allegedly raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

On Monday, the West Bengal government informed the Supreme Court that 23 people have died due to the doctors' protests. The top court instructed the resident doctors to return to work by 5 pm on Tuesday, assuring no adverse actions against them on their return.

The protest began on August 9, following the discovery of a female medic's body in a seminar hall at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Despite continued pleas from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Supreme Court to resume work, junior doctors have launched a telemedicine service named 'Abhaya Clinic' to attend to patients remotely.

The junior doctors demand justice and have also called for the removal of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, whom they accuse of failing in his duties regarding the case. The strike has largely affected the state's healthcare services, although senior doctors are attempting to manage the patient inflow in the absence of junior doctors.

(With inputs from agencies.)