SRINAGAR: MBBS interns across Jammu and Kashmir continued their protest for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, demanding an increase in their monthly internship stipend to Rs 30,000 and urging the government to grant financial concurrence to a proposal already recommended by the Health and Medical Education Department.
Peaceful demonstrations were held at medical institutions across the Union Territory, with interns carrying placards and raising slogans in support of their demand for an early revision of the stipend.
The protest continued despite Health Minister Sakina Itoo stating that the interns’ demand was genuine and that a proposal for enhancing the stipend had already been processed and forwarded to the Finance Department to assess its financial implications.
The protesting interns said repeated assurances had not resulted in a concrete decision and maintained that their agitation would continue until the government formally approves the proposed revision.
Speaking to Kashmir Life, Aaqib Ali Khan, a final-year MBBS student at Government Medical College Srinagar, said the interns had not fixed a specific deadline for the government but expected an early decision, noting that the matter had remained pending for a considerable period.
“Our demand is for the government to accord financial concurrence to the proposal recommended by the Health and Medical Education Department’s committee for enhancement of the internship stipend,” Khan said.
He said the protest would continue peacefully until the government addressed the demand and granted the required financial approval.
“We hope the government will take a positive and timely decision so that the matter can be resolved through dialogue rather than prolonged protests,” he added.
The interns said their existing stipend did not adequately reflect the workload and responsibilities they undertake during their compulsory internship.
According to the protesting students, MBBS interns generally work from 10 am to 6 pm and also perform night duties as assigned. Their responsibilities include patient care, emergency and outpatient duties, attending calls, handling samples, assisting in medical procedures, maintaining records and supporting doctors and other healthcare personnel.
The interns maintained that, despite being trainees, they play an important role in ensuring continuity of patient care, including during night shifts. They also said their agitation was not directed against patients or healthcare services but was aimed at securing what they described as a fair and dignified stipend for the work performed during their internship.
