Revolutionary Change: Bengal Govt’s Overhaul of Patients’ Welfare Committees Promises Brighter Future for RG Kar
West Bengal Overhauls Patients’ Welfare Committees Amid Protests by Junior Doctors
Kolkata, Oct 1: The office of West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant issued a notification on Tuesday outlining a new structure for patients’ welfare committees in medical colleges and hospitals across the state. This move comes after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee decided to dismantle all existing committees following the tragic rape and murder of a junior doctor at state-run R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata last month.
According to the notification, each new patients’ welfare committee will be chaired by the principal of the respective medical college and hospital. The committees will also include the medical superintendent and vice-principal, two department heads nominated by the principal, one senior doctor, one junior doctor, one representative from the nursing cadre, and one public representative.
This announcement coincided with the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Forum (WBJDF) resuming their cease-work agitation. The protesting junior doctors have a list of demands, including a judicial inquiry to ensure justice for the rape and murder victim, the removal of the state health secretary, and the introduction of a centralized referral system along with a digital bed vacancy monitor.
Other demands from the junior doctors include the creation of task forces in each college with elected junior doctor representatives, enhanced police protection in hospitals, filling vacant positions for doctors, nursing staff, and health workers, and the formation of inquiry committees at every medical college to investigate and address ‘threat syndicates.’
Additionally, the junior doctors demand the establishment of an inquiry committee at the state level, immediate elections for student councils in every medical college, and an inquiry into alleged corruption and lawlessness within the West Bengal Medical Council and the West Bengal Health Recruitment Board.
The swift restructuring and the ongoing protests underscore the urgent need for reforms to ensure the safety and efficiency of medical institutions in West Bengal.
IANS
Original Story https://theshillongtimes.com/2024/10/01/rg-kar-impact-bengal-govt-notifies-new-structure-of-patients-welfare-committees/
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