SRINAGAR: MBBS interns across Jammu and Kashmir have announced a protest from August 31, demanding an increase in their monthly internship stipend from Rs 12,300 to Rs 30,000.
The interns said they would refrain from attending duties from August 31 until their demand is addressed by the authorities.
Speaking to the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the interns said the proposed protest is a collective initiative involving medical interns across Jammu and Kashmir and not limited to any particular medical college.
They argued that the current stipend does not adequately reflect their workload, clinical responsibilities and the rising cost of living. According to them, interns are regularly posted in emergency departments, wards, operation theatres and other hospital units where they assist senior doctors and participate in patient care.
The interns maintained that despite playing an important role in the healthcare system, their stipend has remained unchanged at what they described as an inadequate level.
Health activist Dr Mohammad Momin Khan supported the demand, questioning the delay in revising the stipend and urging authorities to provide fair compensation to young doctors for their work during the internship period.
The demand has also received support from resident doctors’ associations at several government medical colleges.
The Resident Doctors Association (RDA) of Government Medical College (GMC) Doda said the existing stipend has become inadequate in view of current economic conditions and urged the government to revise it without further delay.
The Resident Doctors Association of GMC Rajouri also backed the demand, stating that MBBS interns form an integral part of healthcare delivery and deserve fair remuneration.
Meanwhile, resident doctors at GMC Srinagar extended support to the proposed protest, stating that interns work in emergency departments, intensive care units and operation theatres, often performing long duties while handling significant clinical responsibilities.
The interns have appealed to the government to take a timely decision on the issue and revise the stipend to a level they say reflects their contribution to the healthcare system. (KNO)
