Chhattisgarh Junior Resident doctors on strike over stipend, salary hike

Raipur: Health services are at a standstill as 3,000 Junior resident doctors and many more senior doctors of government medical colleges and hospitals in Chhattisgarh have gone on strike since Thursday seeking appropriate stipends for medical interns, bonded doctors and PG resident doctors.

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The resident doctors suspended OPD services and threatened a complete suspension of healthcare services if internship and PG stipends, post MBBS and post PG bond salaries are not increased. However, emergency services remained unaffected for now. 

Around 650 junior doctors went on strike in Raipur’s Jawaharlal Nehru Medical campus under the banner of the Junior Doctors' Association (JUDA). On the other hand, resident doctors, coming under the banner of United Doctors' Front Association C.G (UDFA) have also started their agitation all over the state standing in solidarity with JUDA. Three years ago the Health Minister promised that the salary of the doctors will be increased significantly but there has been no development ever since, stated one of the protesting doctors.

The protesting doctors include intern doctors serving rotary internships, doctors serving bond service after the internship, PG doctors, and post-PG doctors serving the bond period. Post-MD doctors who are pursuing MCH and doctors serving in Community Health Centers and Primary Health Centers are also participating in the strike.

UDFA state President Dr Heera Singh Lodhi is leading the protest of resident doctors and JUDA president Dr Prem Chaudhary is leading the protest of junior doctors at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical campus. Explaining their demands, Dr Lodhi told Medical Dialogues, "Interns are currently getting Rs 12000 per month in the state, we are demanding Rs. 23000. On the other hand, post-MBBS bond service serving doctors are getting Rs. 45000 but we want Rs. 70000. MD or MS PG doctors are getting Rs. 53000 to 55000 while in Delhi and MP they are getting Rs 90000. MCH and post-MD mandatory rural bond serving doctors are demanding Rs 1 lakh." 

Commenting on the issue, the National Spokesperson of United Doctors' Front Association CG, Dr Arun Kumar told Medical Dialogues, " West Bengal interns receive an amount of 29,000, Odisha pays Rs.28,000, Himachal Pradesh pays an allowance of Rs.20,000, Gujarat pays Rs.18,200 while Rajasthan pays Rs.17,000. In comparison to the other neighbouring states, Chhattisgarh doctors' remuneration is less. The stipend has not been increased for the last four years. This is not the treatment that doctors should get after so much struggle. Chhattisgarh is being paid Rs.12,600 per month only."

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" All the resident doctors are boycotting OPD work now but we will go on indefinite strike if our demands are not fulfilled. We are considerate of the patients hence we are still providing emergency service. First, they call us COVID warriors but when it comes to our rights, we are not given any importance. Why must We bear with this treatment?" Asked the doctor.

Member of Indian Medical Association (IMA) Chattisgarh Dr Sinha also stated that the honorarium of intern doctors as well as the stipend of PG doctors have not been revised for a long time now. " UDFA and JUDA are fighting for their rights. However, the issue has not been resolved yet as there has been no communication with the higher officials. They have submitted their demands to the authorities, Deans of colleges and other officials. But there is no development yet." 

Dr Mehul Keria is leading the protest in CMC Bilaspur, Dr Vivek Banjare in Raigar, Dr Suresh in Kanker MCH, Dr Manoj Yadav and Suresh Gupta in Rajnangao MCH, Dr Narad Gupta in  Ambikapur MCH and Dr Yogendra Jogi in Durg MCH.