No stipend for 7 months: First year PG Medicos of Osmania Medical College to boycott duties from September 12

Hyderabad: Frustrated over non-payment of stipends for the last seven months, the First-year Postgraduate resident doctors belonging to Osmania Medical College have decided to initiate strike and boycott all services, excluding emergency, from September 12. 2022.

Informing the authorities about their plans to boycott services, the doctors of the medical college have asked them to clear all the dues by September 11. Interestingly, while these medicos joined their courses back in February 1, 2022, they have not received any stipend so far.

Writing to the Principal of the institute, the Junior Doctors' Association of Osmania Medical College stated, "We would like to bring to your kind notice which needs utmost attention. First year Post Graduate residents working tirelessly since 1st February, 2022 without payment of their stipends."

Calling it "inhumane", the association further mentioned in its letter dated 06.09.2022, "It's been seven months since they joined their course. Osmania JUDA made serial representations regarding this and the issues are not resolved as promised. It's inhumane to ask PGs to wok for seven continuous months without being paid."

Warning to initiate strike, the association has requested the authorities to clear all the due within this week. In this regard, the letter further added, "Hence as a last resort, Osmania JUDA is forced to call for a strike. We will be boycotting our services excluding emergency services from 12th September (Monday), if all our stipend due till date are not paid within 11th of September."

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While commenting on the matter, the President of Osmania JUDA, Dr Srikanth Sativada informed Edex Live that they have taken up the matter to the Principal several times and she has done everything in this regard. The president mentioned, "We cannot continue without funds for more than half a year. It is the officials in charge who are at fault. They neglect their duties, make excuses and therefore, there is a delay."

Mentioning that the officials did not take the attendance properly and did not submit the required documentation, he further added, "They take fifteen days for a day's work. If an official faced issues while collecting attendance, they should report it to higher authorities rather than delaying the process."

Clarifying that they are left with no other option but to boycott duties, he further mentioned, "Delay for a month or two is acceptable, but now doctors have been working hard for so long and they are struggling to pay even for food."

Meanwhile, speaking about the issue, Dr Karthik Nagula, State President of Telangana JUDA said, "Several representations have been sent regarding regularisation of stipends to the authorities including the DME (Directorate of Medical Education), but they have received no response so far."

He also informed the daily that the problem is at its worst at Osmania Medical College because in case of other medical colleges of the state, the residents have received at least stipend for one or two months.

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