Maharastra: The Association of State Medical Interns Maharashtra (ASMI) has recently written to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra seeking COVID duty incentive for Government College MBBS interns. The medicos have demanded to pay them a monthly stipend of Rs 50,000 during the pandemic.Stressing on equal pay for equal work for the interns who are working day and night in COVID facilities, ASMI...
Maharastra: The Association of State Medical Interns Maharashtra (ASMI) has recently written to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra seeking COVID duty incentive for Government College MBBS interns. The medicos have demanded to pay them a monthly stipend of Rs 50,000 during the pandemic.
Stressing on equal pay for equal work for the interns who are working day and night in COVID facilities, ASMI has asked to initiate a hike in stipend as the interns are presently getting a sum of Rs 11000 per month. In the letter, they mentioned that BMC interns are getting 50000 per month plus 300 rupees daily allowance and UG volunteers are getting 30000 per month. Hence the state medical interns have also demanded a hike from 11000 to 50000 per month.
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The president of the Association of State Medical Interns Maharastra doctor Vedkumar Ghantaji confirmed that they have submitted letters to the Chief Minister, Health Minister, and the directorate of medical education and research.
The letter so forwarded reads, "We, the interns of Government Medical Colleges across the state have been working in this Covid-19 pandemic from Fever OPDs to COVID wards, despite the difficulties of transport due to lockdown, without any 7-7 day duty-quarantine schedule all while being potentially exposed to COVID positive patients. Interns posted in other departments are also at a higher risk of being exposed to undiagnosed/asymptomatic COVID patients. Given the mentioned scenario we believe an incentive would serve as a morale booster to all the interns in the state."
Demanding equality in the stipend structure, the letter added "Student nurses are granted Rs.20,000 per month incentive, MBBS doctors/Medical Officers/Assistant Medical Officers are getting Rs.80,000 per month for working in this pandemic. Our work equates to theirs and hence we believe that MBBS interns deserve an incentive of Rs.50,000 per month for the duration of the pandemic. Interns in MCGM colleges have been granted Rs.50,000 per month for the duration of this pandemic (inclusive of a stipend). We humbly request you to grant us Rs.50,000 per month incentive during this pandemic and neutralize the disparity in pay so that we get what we deserve."
However, commenting on their demands Dr. Tatyarao Lahane, head Directorate of Medical Education and Research told
HT that it is a matter of decision lies in the hand of the state government. He added that "We have increased their stipend from Rs 6,000 per month to Rs 11,000 per month which is a permanent hike. The recent demand by the students to hike it to Rs 50,000 at par with what the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is offering to its interns can be decided only by the state." He further stated that "This hike is not permanent and will be withdrawn once the Covid-19 situation ends. Just like the BMC is offering this stipend hike, the respective civic bodies can also take a call."
ASMI has posted their demands in their social media account and urged the government to take immediate action to stop the disparity in stipend.
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