'Gujarat Medical Council Denying Stipend Despite NMC Mandate!' - FMGs Cry Foul

Ahmedabad: Foreign Medical Graduates have expressed disappointment at the Gujarat Medical Council (GMC) for allegedly ignoring a directive issued by the National Medical Commission (NMC) regarding the payment of stipends and security demand.

The All Foreign Medical Graduates (ALL FMGs) Association (AFA) claimed that while the medical council has failed to implement the NMC-mandated stipend policy, it continues to impose Rs 1 lakh refundable security deposit on non-domicile FMG interns, a requirement that is not mentioned in NMC guidelines.

The association alleged that instead of taking note of their plights, the council has rather highlighted 3-year internships in notices. The security deposit will be paid back to the doctors on completion of their internships and after obtaining a license under the Gujarat Medical Council.

The association stated, “Gujarat Medical Council ignores directive to pay stipends to FMGs, denying them what is rightfully theirs but proudly highlights 3-year internships in notices. They also demand ₹1 lakh from non-domicile interns, which isn't in NMC guidelines. Where's the accountability?”

The issue gained traction after Member of Parliament Parshottam Rupala intervened, urging Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel to address the issue. In his official communication, Rupala emphasized that FMG interns are entitled to the same stipend as their Indian Medical Graduate (IMG) counterparts, which currently stands at Rs 21,840 per month.

“It has been stated that as per the directives of the National Medical Commission (NMC), New Delhi and the Official of State Government Orders, the FMG interns are entiled to receive a stipend equal to that of Indian Medical Graduates (IMGs), which has been set at Rs. 21,840/- per month, however, despite completing several months of internship, they have not received any Stipend payments to date. We shall be grateful, if you could kindly look into the matter personally and take immediate necessary action,” the letter mentioned.

The association has expressed gratitude to Rupala for raising the issue. “Recently, the stipend concerns of Gujarat FMGs were brought to attention by Member of Parliament Parshottam Rupala. However, there has been no response from the Gujarat Medical Council.”

Many FMGs have also extended support to the association while expressing their views. “Stipend should be provided to anyone doing an internship, where i am doing internship we do work as much as MO(medical officer) because there is only one MO in our SDH, and yet we are not getting stipend, they are not even including us in incentive that comes from PYJY,” stated one. Another doctor pointed out, “How can anyone human can do 3 years of internship. What grave mistake did these FMG's do to deserve this!??”