Jamshedpur: Junior doctors strike at MGM Hospital over stipend hike, services disrupted

Jamshedpur: Junior doctors at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (MGM) Medical College and Hospital in Jamshedpur went on strike from 8:30 am on Monday, demanding an increase in their stipends. The strike was later called off after authorities provided assurances. 

Health services at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (MGM) Medical College and Hospital in Jamshedpur were affected on Monday after junior doctors went on an indefinite strike to demand an increase in stipends, according to hospital sources. 

Additionally, the strike disrupted routine functioning in several departments and affected patient care, particularly outpatient services.  

Medical Dialogues had recently reported that, demanding a stipend hike, fair salaries, and improved working conditions, junior resident doctors in Jharkhand staged a protest on Monday by wearing black bands during duty and warned that they would launch a statewide indefinite strike from April 6 if their long-pending demands are not met. 

Doctors from five medical college hospitals across the state, including MGM Medical College Hospital, Jamshedpur, participated in the protest under the banner of the IMA–Junior Doctors’ Network (IMA-JDN).   

The protesting doctors said they had been raising the stipend issue for a long time and had earlier staged symbolic protests, including wearing black badges, before resorting to the strike, news agency UNI reported.  

According to The Avenue Mail media report, more than 600 patients had to return without treatment as registration services remained suspended. Junior doctors locked the registration counter gates early in the morning, leaving staff inside and halting the issuance of registration slips. 

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The protesting doctors said the decision to go on an indefinite strike was taken after repeated representations failed to yield any response.

Patients and attendants were seen facing inconvenience as treatment and consultations were delayed in parts of the hospital.

According to The Daily, Principal Dr. Sanjay Kumar and Superintendent Dr. Balram met with the striking doctors. Following the discussions, officials assured the doctors that the government is taking their demands seriously and that the required administrative measures are already underway.

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