She appealed to their sense of responsibility, emphasising the impact the strike was having on healthcare services in the state.”People are dependent on you for treatment. Where will the poor people go? They are treated free in government hospitals. Please forget my position and treat me as your ‘Didi’. These are your just demands, but you should serve the people,” she urged.The agitating doctors, who have been joined by their colleagues across the state, have also threatened to escalate the protest by organising a strike of all medical professionals in West Bengal on October 22 if their demands were not met.Moreover, they are in discussions with their counterparts in other states about holding a countrywide strike on Tuesday, further intensifying the pressure on the West Bengal government.The demands of the junior doctors include justice for their deceased colleague, whom they believe was failed by the system.They are seeking accountability and a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.Banerjee reassured them that the case is being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), saying, “I hope that CBI will bring you justice.”The doctors are also calling for systemic reforms to improve workplace safety in medical institutions.In addition to the removal of Health Secretary Nigam, which the chief minister has so far resisted, the junior doctors are also demanding the holding of elections in medical colleges.Banerjee acknowledged this demand but asked for more time, citing the upcoming Diwali celebrations and by-elections in the state.”Please give me three to four months, which are needed to hold the student elections,” she said.While the chief minister has promised to address most of their concerns within three to four months, the doctors remain firm in their demand for immediate action.
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