Kolkata: In a significant move to address growing concerns over the safety of healthcare professionals and the quality of medical services in West Bengal, the Mamata Banerjee-led state government has constituted a state-level task force. This new body is tasked with ensuring the safety of doctors and health workers, while also improving the healthcare infrastructure across the state. The decision, which was formalized in an official notification on Tuesday, comes after intense protests by junior doctors demanding greater protection and systemic reforms.
The task force, chaired by Chief Secretary Manoj Pant, includes senior officials like Home Secretary Nandini Chakraborty, Director General of Police (DGP) Rajiv Kumar, Health Secretary NS Nigam, and Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma. Additionally, it will feature representatives from the medical community, including two from senior and junior resident doctors, a female representative from medical students, and a member from the State Level Complaint Resolution Committee. This collaborative framework is designed to foster dialogue between government officials and healthcare professionals to create a safer and more efficient healthcare environment.
A Comprehensive Approach to Healthcare Security
The newly-formed task force will focus on both improving security measures and upgrading essential healthcare facilities. Some of its key mandates include:
- Strengthening hospital infrastructure: The task force will ensure better on-duty rooms, functional washrooms, adequate drinking water facilities, and the installation of CCTV surveillance in hospitals.
- Enhanced security presence: The task force will oversee the deployment of police and security personnel in government-run hospitals, including mobile police patrols for quick response.
- Centralized safety and service systems: It will monitor the implementation of a centralized helpline and panic button system, while also tracking real-time bed availability through a centralized referral system.
- Regular security audits: The task force will conduct routine security audits and oversee the handling of internal complaints related to the healthcare system.
To ensure continuous improvement, the task force members are expected to meet at least once a month. This level of oversight is aimed at addressing the long-standing concerns of health workers while ensuring quality service delivery for patients across the state.
End of Junior Doctors’ Hunger Strike After 17 Days of Protest
The formation of the task force follows a high-profile hunger strike by junior doctors in Kolkata, protesting the rape and murder of a female doctor. The protest, which lasted for 17 days, finally came to an end on Monday, October 21. The junior doctors had been on strike since October 5, demanding justice in the rape-murder case and calling for reforms in the healthcare system.
After intense negotiations with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, which included a two-hour meeting at the state secretariat in Nabanna, the doctors agreed to end their strike. They also called off a planned health strike that was scheduled for Tuesday. The junior doctors had been advocating for systemic changes to improve the safety of medical staff, including more robust security measures and better healthcare management in state-run hospitals.
Next Steps for Junior Doctors
The doctors, who have been vocal about the need for reforms, will continue their advocacy through a mass conference scheduled for October 26 at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. This conference will serve as a platform for junior doctors to discuss further steps in their fight for a safer and more efficient healthcare system.
The government’s swift formation of the task force and ongoing dialogue with healthcare workers represent a significant step towards addressing the grievances that have fueled recent protests, while also promising long-term improvements in West Bengal’s healthcare sector.
