The condition of one of the junior doctors who was on hunger strike over the rape and murder of the doctor at the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, and was hospitalised, is reported to be "critical but stable".
Aniket Mahato, along with other junior doctors, has been fasting since Saturday night, and was admitted to the state-run hospital on Thursday night. He is in the critical care unit and is reportedly showing signs of improvement. He has begun responding to treatment, according to a member of the five-doctor team monitoring him.
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"When he (Aniket) was admitted, he was severely dehydrated, pulse rate was very high and was in a very unstable condition," Soma Mukhopadhyay, a professor at the hospital, told PTI. “His pulse, blood pressure and fluid levels have improved.” But she added that the team needs to check about other possible damage.
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The health condition of the other six junior doctors who were on hunger strike since Saturday night along with Mahato, is also deteriorating. But they have decided to continue
One of the agitating doctors, Debasish Halder, told PTI that they will continue their fight for justice for their late colleague, and also for a safer working environment for the medics, and other related issues.
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An ICU ambulance has been stationed nearby for emergency.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), meanwhile, have thrown their weight behind the protesting junior doctors, and urged Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to intervene before the situation worsens. FAIMA has also warned that it would declare a nationwide "complete shutdown of medical services" if "any harm befalls brave junior doctors".
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IMA national president Dr R.V. Asokan met the fasting junior doctors on Friday. "I am touched by the way these children are fighting for the cause of the people and not for themselves. They are the real heroes, and we are all very proud of them," he said after visiting another junior doctor admitted to RG Kar hospital.
Junior doctors reach out to the public
The fasting junior doctors have urged the public to observe "Arandhan" (no cooking) on Ekadashi, coinciding with the completion of their seven-day fast, in a show of solidarity to their fight. "When our freedom fighters were on hunger strike, the common people observed 'Arandhan' in their support," one of the doctors told PTI.
Response of the state government
Chief secretary Manoj Pant, in response to a mail from the protesting doctors, assured them that extensive infrastructural developments are being carried out across several medical colleges in the state for safety and security of medical professionals.
“We are installing a total of 7,051 CCTVs, 893 new duty rooms and 778 washrooms. Additionally, proper lighting arrangements, alarm systems and biometric access control is also being implemented across all medical colleges and hospitals state-wide," he wrote.