'Solidly behind them': IMA chief meets junior doctors observing fast-unto-death for justice in RG Kar case

Dr RV Asokan, president of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), met junior doctors observing fast-unto-death in Kolkata on Friday.

After the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata's RG Kar Hospital on August 9, junior doctors began a "cease work" protest.

On September 21, after 42 days, they concluded their strike after being assured by the state government that their demands would be met.

However, the doctors resumed their protest by starting an indefinite fast at the Dorina Crossing in Dharmatala, central Kolkata.

The doctors alleged that the government failed to deliver on the promises previously made to them.

"I bring the goodwill and concern of all the doctors of India. We are concerned, we are family. I have come with a very heavy heart for these young doctors, who are the struggling heroes of medical profession fighting for the cause of justice. All the demands are doable, eminently doable. IMA has appealed to the (state) government to address them in an emergency basis, considering the deteriorating health of these children," Asokan said after meeting protesting junior doctors.

He further said: "I have been to RG Kar, that boy is yet to become stable and the entire medical fraternity is concerned, and after these many days of fasting...not once they spoke about themselves, they spoke about the system, the corruption, they spoke about the concerns of the people, the profession... The IMA is solidly behind them, we will go to ant extent, we will not let them down."

On Thursday, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) also wrote a letter to West Bengal's chief minister Mamata Banerjee, urging her to resolve the issues of junior doctors currently on a hunger strike in Kolkata, adding that its been a week and "they deserve immediate attention".

"It is almost a week since the young doctors of Bengal are on a fast-unto-death struggle. Indian Medical Association supports their just demands. They deserve your immediate attention. The Government of West Bengal is entirely capable of meeting all the demands,” the IMA letter read.

One of the medics on hunger strike was hospitalised on Thursday night after his health condition deteriorated, a senior doctor said.

The medic was identified as Aniket Mahato, one of the seven on fast unto death since Saturday evening.

"Aniket Mahato's condition worsened and his parameters were not good. He was taken to RG Kar hospital and will be admitted to the intensive care unit," senior doctor Subarna Goswami told a news channel.

Mahato, along with a few others, has been at the forefront of the agitation seeking justice for the rape and murder victim.

Seven junior doctors have been on an indefinite hunger strike, now entering its sixth day on Friday, despite the ongoing Durga Puja festivities.

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