UP MBBS Interns in private medical colleges getting Rs 130 to Rs 260 per day Stipend: Survey

Ghaziabad: Revealing the reality regarding the stipend situation of MBBS Interns across the country, a recent survey conducted by the Indian Medical Association Medical Students' Network (IMA-MSN), Uttar Pradesh, has revealed that majority of the interns belonging to private medical colleges in the State receive around Rs 130 to Rs 260 per month.

In fact, the survey further revealed that more than 30% of interns belonging to private medical colleges do not even get paid at all. As per the data, only 67.5% of interns get paid for their work.

Even for those, who receive the stipend, the payment gets delayed for 72.3% of students, and around 73.2% interns receive lesser than what is stated in the institution's contract. The majority of the interns who get paid i.e. 58.4% students get an amount ranging between Rs 4,000 to Rs 8,000. Only 23.8% students receive stipend ranging between 8,000 to 12,000 per month.

As per the National Council Member of IMA MSN UP, Dr Shashwat Singh, even in government medical colleges in the State, where the interns receive Rs 12,000 per month, the payment often gets delayed.

Raising this issue of stipend disparity, the association has now demanded a uniform stipend structure across the State. Further, referring to the meagre amount that the private medical college interns receive, the students have also demanded a hike in their stipend making it at par with the stipend amount paid in the government medical colleges across the State i.e. Rs 12,000 per month.

Also Read: Non-payment of Stipend to MBBS Interns: Supreme Court tells NMC to respond in Four Weeks

In this regard, the association recently wrote to the State IMA and urged the officials to address the issue on an urgent basis. Alleging that there exists a significant disparity in the amount of stipend paid to the MBBS interns belonging to the private medical colleges across the State, the association mentioned in the letter dated October 10, 2023, "This discrepancy is not only inequitable but also poses several challenges to the well-being and motivation of these young professionals."

Demanding a uniform stipend policy for all interns in medical colleges in the state, the association urged the authorities to take the problem faced by the Interns regarding their stipend into serious account. In addition, they also requested that the policy be uniform for all the interns and should be given in every institution of the UP State

Government Directives: 

On January 5th, 2021, the government issued a directive stating that the monthly allowance for MBBS interns in Uttar Pradesh should be increased from Rs 7500 to Rs 12000 for all the Medical Colleges teaching MBBS under the state of Uttar Pradesh.

Referring to this, IMA MSN, on the other hand, pointed out the ground reality regarding the amount of stipend paid to the MBBS interns of private medical colleges across the State. 

Meagre Pay and Stipend Disparity: 

To understand the Ground Reality, IMA MSN UP conducted a survey to check whether the stipend amount, if received by an intern, is uniform for all colleges or not. The survey report suggested that:

● Only 67.5% of interns received their monthly stipend whereas the rest are not even getting the stipend

Talking about the stipend disparities in medical colleges across the state, National Council Member of IMA MSN UP, Dr Shashwat Singh told Medical Dialogues "In the majority of government medical colleges, students are being provided with an appropriate stipend. Conversely, numerous interns in private medical colleges are not receiving adequate stipends. In certain instances, deductions have been made from their stipends under the pretext of hidden charges. Furthermore, interns are also encountering difficulties due to delays in receiving their stipends."

"The current situation is unfair for students, as government institutions are providing a suitable stipend to their interns, while private colleges are not doing the same. It is important to mention that interns at private medical colleges are just as competent in their duties. Therefore, we strongly support the implementation of a consistent stipend for all interns throughout the state," he added.

When asked about the situation of the interns belonging to government medical institutes, Dr Shashwat Singh informed that the payment of stipend gets delayed even for the MBBS interns belonging to the Government medical colleges.

Raising the issue before the State IMA, the association, on behalf of all the Interns in Medical Colleges of Uttar Pradesh, requested the concerned authorities to take the problem faced by the Interns regarding their stipend in much serious account. The association has also requested the authorities to make the stipend amount uniform for all the interns and demanded that stipend should be given in every institutes of the UP State.

"As a concerned organization who deeply values the importance of a robust healthcare system, We strongly urge you to consider implementing a standardized stipend structure for all medical graduates undergoing their internship in the state of Uttar Pradesh. A uniform stipend policy would ensure fairness, transparency, and consistency across all medical colleges. It would also motivate interns to focus on their learning and clinical responsibilities without being burdened by financial concerns," IMA MSN mentioned in the letter.

"I kindly request you to take immediate action to address this issue and work towards establishing a uniform stipend structure for medical graduates undergoing their internship in Uttar Pradesh medical colleges. This step would not only enhance the quality of healthcare services but also promote a sense of equity and justice among the medical community," the letter stated.

"I am willing to participate in any discussions or initiatives aimed at achieving this goal and would be grateful for an opportunity to meet and discuss this matter further," it further mentioned.

Medical Dialogues has been reporting about the issue of stipend disparity faced by the private medical colleges across the country. The NMC norms state that all the intern doctors shall be paid a stipend as fixed by the appropriate fee fixation authority applicable to the Institution/University/State. Therefore, the chances of the intern doctors getting a stipend for their service largely depend upon their concerned parent institutes.

Despite numerous protests and representations to the authorities, non-payment of stipends or disparity regarding the amount of stipend paid to the MBBS interns across the country remains one of the unsolved issues even today.

This demand for a uniform stipend across Uttar Pradesh has been raised by the IMA-MSN when the issue of non-payment of stipend in the medical colleges across the country has reached the Supreme Court.

Recently, the Apex Court took cognisance of the matter while considering a plea filed by the MBBS students of the Army College of Medical Sciences (ACMS). 

Taking note of the claim that 70 percent of medical colleges do not get paid any stipend or are paying the minimum stipend to doctors who are doing their MBBS internships, the Apex Court bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud directed the NMC to file a report giving the details about this claim and also directed the Commission to be informed what steps have been taken to ensure payment of stipend to them as per the NMC norms.