However, the junior doctors maintained their demand for the resignation of Health Secretary N S Nigam.Halder expressed concern over the health of the hunger strike participants, noting that among the eight medics currently fasting, three have been on strike since October 5, two since October 11, one since October 14, and two since October 15.Six other medics participating in the hunger strike have fallen seriously ill and required hospitalisation.Halder said those on hunger strike will not attend the meeting due to health concerns.He highlighted that the junior doctors have previously attended all meetings called by the state government, even with very short notice.Speaking to the doctors over the phone during a visit by Pant and Home Secretary Nandini Chakraborty to the protest site in Esplanade on Saturday afternoon, Banerjee said, “Everybody has the right to protest, but it shouldn’t affect healthcare services. I would request you all to withdraw your fast.” Banerjee also rejected the demand for the removal of Nigam, explaining that “it is not possible to remove everyone in a department at once; we have already removed the DHS (Director of Health Services) and DME (Director of Medical Education). Please rise above politics and rejoin work.”
Source link
