Stipend Hike, Better Working Conditions: Jharkhand junior doctors warn of indefinite strike from April 6

Jamshedpur: 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). 

This marks the third consecutive Monday of demonstrations, with doctors urging the state government to address their demands at the earliest.

Their demands include revision and increase of stipends for MBBS interns and PG resident doctors in line with other states, timely disbursement of salaries, and improvement in working conditions.

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According to representatives, as reported by The Avenue Mail, the demand for a stipend hike has been pending for a long time. Doctors said the current stipend is inadequate considering their workload and responsibilities, and that they were compelled to protest after months of unmet assurances from the government.

While announcing the indefinite strike from April 6, the doctors clarified that emergency medical services will continue during the protest period.

Extending its unequivocal support to the resident doctors of Jharkhand, the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) strongly condemned the persistent inaction.

Writing to the state Health Minister, the association urged the state government to take immediate and concrete steps to fulfil the promises made to the resident doctors. Any further delay risks not only demoralising the healthcare workforce but also adversely affecting patient care across the state, said the association. 

FAIMA further highlighted that resident doctors form the backbone of our public healthcare system. Despite working tirelessly under immense pressure, often in resource-constrained settings, their legitimate demands have been repeatedly delayed. The continued lack of action, despite multiple assurances, reflects a concerning disregard for the welfare and dignity of these frontline healthcare workers.

"It is deeply unfortunate that the resident doctors have been forced to resort to agitation as a last measure. Their decision to hold a state-wide protest on 6th April underscores the seriousness of the situation and the growing frustration among the medical fraternity. We wish to emphasize that the demands raised by the resident doctors are justified, reasonable, and long overdue. Ignoring them any further will leave the medical community with no choice but to escalate the issue further. 

FAIMA stands in complete solidarity with the resident doctors of Jharkhand and will extend full support to their cause. We sincerely hope that the authorities act promptly to resolve the issue amicably and avoid disruption of essential healthcare services," read the letter. 

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has extended full support to the agitation. During a recent meeting, the Jharkhand State unit of the IMA decided to back the protest led by the IMA-JDN. The association has also sent a letter to the state Health Minister, urging prompt intervention and resolution of the issue.

In addition, the Jharkhand State Health Services Association (JSHSA) has expressed solidarity with the junior doctors and assured support to the movement. Both organisations have termed the demand for stipend revision as genuine and justified.

Dr Raghavendra, State Secretary of IMA-JDN, told The Avenue Mail, "Despite repeated protests, no concrete steps have been taken by the authorities so far. He reiterated that from April 6, junior doctors across medical college hospitals in the state will go on an indefinite strike, except for those engaged in emergency services."

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