WB: Resident Doctors' Association sets up temporary medical camp 'Abhaya Clinic' in Siliguri

Speaking to ANI, the doctors said, "We are here to provide medical facilities to the people. Most of the departments are here at the camp to ensure the services. It is not true that patients are not receiving treatments, whether it is at rural hospitals or medical colleges."

Patients who arrived at the camp welcomed the move and said, "It's very effective for us.The doctors are giving their best besides their movement for justice. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is lying that people lost their lives due to the lack of treatment. It is very unfortunate. The people are with the doctors for justice."

The medical representatives provided the free medicines to the patients here at the camp.

Dr Shailja Dangwal, a gynaecology resident from North Bengal Medical College, spoke to ANI about the camp and said, "Today we are holding a free medical camp, "Abhaya Clinic," in memory of the trainee doctor 'Abhaya' who had to go through injustice at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital."

"We are holding this clinic so that we can provide free medical services to the public and also making them aware that we stand by them while we are protesting against the injustice of the government. We have been protesting since 35 days but the government is still not able to hear our voices. We are providing this camp with a free haemoglobin, sugar, thyroid, and BP checkups," she said.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on September 13 that as many as 29 people had lost their lives as a result of the disruption in health services.

Taking to her social media handle on X, CM Banerjee posted, "In order to extend a helping hand to the bereaved families, the state government announces a token financial relief of Rs 2 lakh to family members of each deceased person."

Earlier in the day, former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Sandip Ghosh, and Tala Police Station officer-in-charge, Abhijit Mondal, were produced in Sealdah Court.

Both Ghosh and Mondal were arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation on Saturday in connection with the rape and murder of a woman doctor in Kolkata.

This development comes amid mounting pressure on the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government, over the brutal rape-murder case.

Earlier on Saturday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited Swasthya Bhawan to meet the protesting doctors, assuring them that their demands would be addressed and that action would be taken against those responsible.

Speaking with the doctors, the Chief Minister expressed her concern over their situation, stating that she had been losing sleep over their protest in the rain.

"I have been a student leader myself and have struggled a lot in life, so I understand your situation. I am not concerned about my position. It rained all night while you were protesting, and I was worried. I will review your demands. I don't run the government alone; I will consult senior officials and find a solution. Whoever is guilty will be punished. I ask for some time. The state government will not take any action against you," she said.

She further urged the protesting doctors to return to work, saying, "I request you to resume work. All the work related to the development, infrastructure, and security of the hospital has begun and will continue."

People and doctors have been protesting the gruesome rape and murder of a trainee woman doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The victim was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.

The incident sparked a war of words between the BJP and the state government, with the BJP demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. (ANI)