SRINAGAR: Patient care at several hospitals across Jammu and Kashmir was affected on Wednesday as MBBS and BDS interns continued their indefinite strike for the third consecutive day, demanding an increase in their monthly stipend.
Hundreds of medical interns staged sit-in protests and candlelight vigils at medical institutions across the Union Territory, seeking a revision of the stipend, which they said has remained unchanged at ₹12,000 per month for the past seven years.
The protesting interns are demanding that the stipend be increased to ₹30,000 per month, arguing that the current amount does not adequately compensate for the workload, responsibilities and long working hours associated with compulsory internship training.
The strike disrupted routine services at several hospitals, with interns stating that they would continue their agitation until their demand for a stipend hike is addressed.
The protest entered its third day amid calls for a resolution to the issue and restoration of normal hospital functioning.
