MBBS interns of BJ Medical College demand stipend at par with other state interns
Ahmedabad: Demanding an increase in stipend, the MBBS interns attached to BJ Medical College recently submitted a letter to the Dean of the institution, adding that they form "a part of the backbone of the covid-19 workforce" in the hospitals and they should be given an increased stipend or an honorarium for their hard work and dedication.
BJ Medical College is affiliated to Ahmedabad Civil hospital and the 1200 bedded hospital has been operational in treating covid patients during the pandemic. However, the interns claim that they have not been compensated for their constant services during the pandemic.
The medical interns who are pursuing their fifth year in the MBBS course stated that their monthly stipend is Rs 12,800. However, it is much less in comparison to what the other state interns are being paid.
The Indian Express reports that in a letter submitted to the head of the institute, they stated they have always performed their duty very sincerely and have not given any chance for complaint from any faculty in the hospital. Giving instances of their counterparts serving in different facilities of other states, the interns stated that those interning doctors who are serving in Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) run hospitals are being paid rupees 500 per day as honorarium and it is over and above their monthly stipend.
Moreover, they also stated that BMC is also paining Rs 39,000 stipend per month for interns working as covid warriors. They further stated that in fact, the Delhi government has also assured that the interns should get the benefit and credit for their dedication which they have displayed by working under constant risk of exposure to the infection. The government is also paying an honorarium of Rs 1000 for an 8-hour shift and Rs 2000 for a 12-hour shift per day along with the monthly stipend for interns serving in COVID facilities.
According to the daily, under such circumstances, when the Gujarat Health Department is paying Rs 15000 monthly stipends only to those interns who are pursuing their final year MBBS and BDS, the interns are demanding an increase.
The intern in the letter stated, " looking at the above cases, we seriously feel that the stipend of Rs12,800 seems bit unfair for medical interns of the government of Gujarat who are tirelessly and selflessly performing the covid-19 and helps running 1200 bed COVID hospitals smoothly even in the time of increased pressure patient load."
They have urged the authorities to look into the matter and take the necessary steps in order to fulfill their demands.
The interns added that they are not expecting a great hike in the stipend rather they are just asking the government to allow them a reasonable and at least comparable incentive or honorarium. They have already submitted the letter to the Dean of the institution, Pankaj Shah on 24th November.
Commenting on the grievances of the interns, MR Shah also mentioned that the interns are " not asking neither expecting any exorbitant increase in the way they are getting but they are really hoping that the government will consider the request and provide with some justifiable solution."
The Dean has already forwarded the letter to the principal secretary of the health department. The Dean's communication was also marked to Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Nitin Patel, reports the daily.
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