Medical Interns’ Hunger Strike Intensifies as Omar Seeks Early Resolution

SRINAGAR, Sept 7 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday called for an early resolution to the ongoing dispute over the stipend of medical interns as MBBS and BDS interns began a 48-hour hunger strike, warning that the prolonged standoff could have serious implications for healthcare services and their training.

Omar said the matter primarily falls under the jurisdiction of the Health Department and that the department would have to take the first decision before other government departments could act.

“It’s sad. The matter shouldn’t have come to this,” the Chief Minister told reporters in Srinagar, stressing that the issue should be resolved at the earliest.

He said Health Minister Sakina Itoo had spoken to the protesting doctors and, to his knowledge, assurances had been given to them. However, he said the next course of action would depend on the Health Department.

Omar said the continuing protest was not in anyone’s interest, particularly as it was affecting the interns’ work and training.

“First of all, their work is suffering. Their internship is suffering. And we don’t want our children to do this,” he said.

MBBS and BDS interns across medical colleges and hospitals in Jammu and Kashmir have been on strike for the past week, demanding an increase in their monthly stipend, which they say has remained unchanged for nearly seven years.

The interns currently receive around Rs 12,300 per month and are demanding that the stipend be increased to Rs 30,000.

Medical interns at some colleges and hospitals began a 48-hour hunger strike on Monday after what they described as the government’s failure to provide a “positive concrete response” despite eight days of protest.

Intern doctors at SKIMS Bemina said the hunger strike began after repeated appeals for action failed to yield a concrete decision. They said representatives from other Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) had also decided to join the hunger strike, with two to three interns from each college expected to participate over the next few days.

The protesting doctors urged the government to issue a written order accepting their demand, arguing that interns in other parts of Jammu and Kashmir receive substantially higher stipends.

The interns also said the ongoing strike was affecting patient care, as they form an important part of hospital services. With interns staying away from work, postgraduate doctors and senior residents are reportedly facing an increased workload, putting additional pressure on hospital services and affecting the doctor-patient ratio.

The protesters appealed to the government to resolve the matter without further delay, warning that prolonged disruption of hospital services would ultimately affect patients.

“The government agrees that our demand is genuine and has been pending for seven years, so it should be addressed now. It should not be prolonged like this. The government should come forward, show wisdom and greatness, and not test our patience,” a protesting medical intern said.