MP MBBS interns on strike demanding stipend hike to Rs 30k, doctors extend support
Indore: MBBS interns from government medical colleges across Madhya Pradesh recently started an indefinite strike, demanding an increase in their monthly internship stipend from Rs 14,337 to Rs 30,000.
As part of the protest, the interns have stopped performing clinical duties, alleging that repeated requests to the state government for the hike have not resulted in any action.
According to the protesting interns, they have submitted several representations over the past few months to the Department of Medical Education, Commissioner of Medical Education, Director of Medical Education, Additional Chief Secretaries of the Medical Education and Finance Departments, the Finance Minister, the Deputy Chief Minister, and the Chief Minister's Office. However, they claim that no concrete decision has been taken on revising the stipend.
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The strike was observed a day after nearly 1,200 interns held a large march in Bhopal on July 23. The participants walked from Hamidia Hospital to the Collectorate, where they submitted a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister, urging the government to increase the stipend. The interns said they had hoped for a positive response after the march, but with no announcement from the government, they decided to begin the strike.
The protesting interns told Amarujala they had tried to resolve the issue through dialogue and peaceful demonstrations, but their demands remained unaddressed. They added that they were left with no option but to boycott medical work.
The interns have also said that they are willing to end the strike if the state government takes a positive decision on their demands.
In support of the interns, the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has written to the to Hon'ble Deputy CM & Health Minister Shri Rajendra Shukla Ji urging an immediate revision of the MBBS internship stipend.
FAIMA Doctors' Association said that MBBS interns in Madhya Pradesh at present receive a stipend of merely Rs 14,337 per month, which is among the lowest in the country despite the immense responsibilities shouldered by them and the substantial fees incurred during medical education.
"This amount is grossly inadequate in the present economic circumstances and fails to reflect the invaluable services rendered by these young doctors. MBBS interns are indispensable pillars of our healthcare system. They provide round-the-clock services in emergency departments, wards, labour rooms, operation theatres, and intensive care units while simultaneously undergoing rigorous clinical training. Their duties frequently extend beyond stipulated working hours, demanding exceptional commitment, resilience, and professionalism," the letter read.
The association demanded the immediate revision of the monthly stipend of MBBS Intern Doctors from Rs 14,337 to Rs 30,000, implementation of the revised stipend uniformly across all Government Medical Colleges in Madhya Pradesh, timely and regular disbursement of stipend without administrative delays and establishment of a mechanism for periodic revision of the internship stipend in accordance with inflation and prevailing national standards.
Meanwhile, the Indian Medical Association – Junior Doctors Network (IMA JDN), Madhya Pradesh, also extended its full support to the legitimate and long-pending demands of MBBS intern doctors working in all Government Medical Colleges across the state.
Demanding the same, the association said that for the past several days, intern doctors across the state have been presenting their concerns before the Government in a disciplined, peaceful, and democratic manner through memorandums, peaceful rallies, and meetings with representatives.
Therefore, the association demanded that the Government should hold a high-level meeting with representatives of the intern doctors and resolve the issue within a fixed timeframe.
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