Kolkata, Jun 17 (UNI) Junior doctors in all state-run hospitals across Bengal tonight called off their indefinite strike in protest against the assault on their fellow colleague after a fruitful meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at Nabanna, thereby ending the seven-day-long stand-off.
The withdrawal of casework followed after a successful meeting with Ms Banerjee, who conceded, among other 12-point demands, posting of armed police personnel and setting up of grievance cell
in all the government hospitals.
The doctors demanded that the government should ensure zero tolerance to the assault on the
doctors.
Healthcare across the state came to a near collapse since Tuesday (June 11), a night after a group of people assaulted two junior doctors, including Paribaha Mukherjee, who survived a skull fracture, after a 75-year-old patient died of cardiac arrest at NRS Hospital, Sealdah.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister, who presided over the meeting at Nabanna with 31-junior doctors for one and half hours, visited Park Circus to see Paribaha Mukherjee at private Neuroscience hospital, which was also one of the demands of the striking doctors.
Ms Banerjee informed the delegation that the case was in progress regarding the assault and five of them were arrested.
In a statement, the junior doctors said, "We extend our heartfelt gratitude to CM Mamata Banerjee. After an enormous movement, the meeting and discussions with our chief minister met a logical end. Considering everything, we expect the government to solve the issues as discussed in due time."
They also thanked the medical fraternity across the country for their support during the strike.
"We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all seniors, juniors, patients, common people, intelligentsia and the medical fraternity of the country who spontaneously extended their support and made this movement possible. We hope to maintain this unity in future," the doctors said.
Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi also welcomed the end of this week-long strike.
" The Governor is happy that amicable settlement has arrived at the meeting held today between the Chief Minister and the doctors," an official statement from the Governor's office read.
It also said, "He (Governor Tripathi) appreciates the initiative taken by the Chief Minister and also the junior doctors to resolve the impasse."
"He hopes that the doctors will take up the work of care and treatment of patients as per the high ideals of their noble profession," the statement read.
Ed's: Pls Pick Up Suitably From Earlier Series.
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