On Saturday morning, junior doctors in West Bengal resumed their duties in a limited capacity at various government hospitals after a 42-day suspension of work. This action followed their protest against the tragic incident involving the rape and murder of a female doctor while she was on duty at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The junior doctors have returned to provide essential and emergency services across all state-run hospitals; however, they have not resumed operations in the outpatient departments (OPD). Aniket Mahato, a representative of the protesting doctors, informed PTI, “We have started rejoining duties today. Our colleagues have started returning to their respective departments since this morning only in essential and emergency services, but not at the OPDs. Please do not forget that this is only a partial resumption of duties.” Furthermore, he mentioned that some of his colleagues have already departed for flood-affected areas in the state to initiate ‘Abhaya clinics’ (medical camps), thereby reaffirming their dedication to public health despite the ongoing protests.
