UP MBBS Interns Demand Stipend Hike from Rs 12,000 to Rs 30,000 per Month, Boycott Duties in Protest
Lucknow: The MBBS interns in Uttar Pradesh Government Medical Colleges across 14 districts of the State have been protesting against the meagre amount of stipend they receive during their internship programme.
For the last five days, the medicos have been boycotting their hospital duties demanding a stipend hike. Claiming that they receive the lowest stipend i.e. Rs 12,000 per month across the country, the UP MBBS Interns have demanded that the amount should be raised to at least Rs 30,000 per month.
As per the National Medical Commission's (NMC) rules, it is mandatory for MBBS students to undergo one year of compulsory internship to get their medical degrees and start practice in India. During the period of internship, the Interns receive a stipend provided by the Government (in case of Government Medical Colleges) or the Institutes (private medical institutes).
The UP MBBS Interns have pointed out that the Rs 12,000 per month stipend equals Rs 400 per day, which according to the doctors is even lesser than wage of "unskilled labourers". They have demanded that the stipend should be increased to Rs 30,000 per month i.e. Rs 1000/day.
Raising the issue, the President of the All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA) Dr Jitendra Singh recently pointed out that the current amount of stipend paid by to the MBBS interns by the UP Government is the lowest across the country. "Most of the private colleges interns are underpaid and not even paid. The Stipend to Interns should be paid equally," Dr. Singh mentioned in an X (formerly Twitter) post.
Extending support to the protesting medicos, AIMSA recently issued a Press Release and mentioned how protest rallies are being taken out and demonstrations are being held in all the medical colleges and universities of Uttar Pradesh to increase the stipend for MBBS Interns, who have decided not to go to work until their monthly stipend is increased.
The association further pointed out that all the intern doctors and MBBS students of AIMSA have expressed their demands that considering the inflation, the stipend should be increased to Rs 30,000 per month, which is currently Rs 12000 per month and the lowest amount paid to the MBBS interns across the country.
In the release, Dr Jitendra Singh further referred to the earlier letter written by AIMSA to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Health Minister Shri Brajesh Pathak.
Writing to the Chief Minister and the Health Minister of the State, AIMSA on 23.07.2024 had mentioned, "Medical interns are an indispensable part of the healthcare system. They work diligently and shoulder significant responsibilities in hospitals and healthcare centers, often managing critical patient care alongside their senior colleagues. Their commitment and contribution are vital to the smooth functioning of healthcare services, especially in these challenging times. Despite their hard work and dedication, the current stipend provided to medical interns in Uttar Pradesh is insufficient to cover their basic living expenses and professional needs."
Pointing out how several other states recognized the value of their medical interns and accordingly increased their stipend amounts, the association had urged the Government to consider a revision and increase in the stipend for medical interns in Uttar Pradesh, adding that "Such a measure will provide much-needed financial support, allowing these young professionals to focus wholeheartedly on their training and duties, ultimately benefiting the healthcare delivery system of our state."
Sharing the copy of the letter, AIMSA had earlier warned that if the demands of UP MBBS Interns were not met, it would run a Pan India Campaign.
Meanwhile, the photos of videos of the protesting medicos are doing rounds on the Internet. The students are seen raising slogans like "400 rupiya Majdoori hai, ye hartal zaroori hai", "we want justice".
Dr Jitendra Singh in a recent X (Twitter) post had mentioned that the representatives of the association along with the medical students (interns) from UP would meet the Deputy Chief Minister of UP Brajesh Pathak to discuss about the issue.
ABVP Delegation Meets Deputy CM:
Meanwhile, a delegation of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on Friday submitted a memorandum to UP Deputy Chief Minister Brijesh Pathak, demanding an increase in the stipend of medical interns. Pathak is handling the Health and Medical Education Department in the Uttar Pradesh government, PTI has reported.
The ABVP said medical interns are not given stipend according to their requirement in the regional medical institutes and medical schools, for which the students are agitating to increase it and ABVP is with them in this demand. It had also informed Brijesh Pathak about this problem on July 17, the ABVP said in a statement issued here.
ABVP State Media Coordinator Abhinav Mishra said during the discussion on these points with their delegation, Pathak assured that this matter will be seriously considered and a decision will be taken in the interest of the medical students. Another office-bearer of the RSS' student wing, Rohit Singh said, "The ABVP has been continuously demanding that a uniform stipend be fixed for medical students across the country. In Uttar Pradesh, medical interns are given Rs 12,000 as stipend which is not sufficient for their basic needs."
ABVP Convenor and medical intern Saurabh Nayak said, "While in the other states, an average of Rs 25,000 is given as stipend to the medical interns, this amount is Rs 12,000 in Uttar Pradesh."
The issue of stipends paid to the MBBS interns is also being considered by the Supreme Court. Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that during the hearing of the issue earlier this year, the Supreme Court had directed NMC to submit the details of the stipend paid to the MBBS interns in all the medical colleges across all States within four weeks.
Accordingly, complying with the Supreme Court's directions, NMC recently asked the medical colleges to submit the details of the stipend paid to the medical students for the academic year 2023-2024. NMC had directed medical colleges to submit the details of their name and address, the amount of stipend paid by the State Government, and the month-wise details of the stipend paid to the MBBS interns, 1st/2nd/3rd-year Post-Graduate Residents, and 1st/2nd/3rd-year Senior Residents or PGs in Super Specialty for the academic year 2023-2024.
The Supreme Court bench took cognisance of the issue while considering a plea filed by five MBBS students studying at Army College of Medical Sciences (ACMS) affiliated with Guru Govind Singh Indraprastha University seeking a stipend for the period of internship.
While considering the plea filed by ACMS students, the top court bench had directed the medical college to start paying its Interns Rs 25,000 per month from October 1, 2023. During the hearing of the case, the counsel for the students Advocate Vaibhav Gagghar informed the bench that a recent NMC report stated that 70 per cent of the medical colleges in the country were not paying stipends to their interns.
Taking note of this, the bench directed the National Medical Commission's counsel Advocate Gaurav Sharma to respond to the claim and file an affidavit.
Also Read: Now MBBS interns at Private Medical Colleges in Maharashtra to get Rs 18k stipend
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