Srinagar, Aug 31 (JKNS): Jammu & Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hameed Karra has urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene in the ongoing demand of medical interns for enhancement of their stipend, terming their demand genuine and deserving of immediate consideration.
In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, as per news agency JKNS, Karra said medical interns constitute an essential part of the healthcare delivery system and shoulder significant responsibilities in hospitals while undergoing their compulsory internship.
Karra said the interns routinely work long and demanding hours, including shifts extending up to 36 hours, while attending to patients and performing their duties with dedication and commitment.
“Despite the demanding nature of their work and the immense workload, they continue to discharge their responsibilities in the interest of patients and public healthcare,” he said.
The Congress leader also expressed concern that the stipend being provided to medical interns in Jammu & Kashmir is considerably lower than that offered in several other parts of the country.
He said that when interns elsewhere are provided better financial support for comparable responsibilities and working hours, the demand of medical interns in J&K for a reasonable enhancement in stipend merits serious consideration.
“I would therefore urge your good self to kindly direct the concerned authorities to engage with the protesting interns, listen to their grievances and work towards an early and satisfactory resolution of the issue,” Karra wrote.
He said positive intervention by the government at this stage would not only address a legitimate concern of the medical fraternity but also boost the morale of young doctors contributing significantly to the functioning of hospitals and healthcare institutions.
Karra further urged the Chief Minister to consider the matter on priority and take necessary steps for a meaningful hike in the stipend of medical interns in Jammu & Kashmir, in line with their responsibilities and prevailing stipends in other parts of the country.
The letter comes amid peaceful protests by MBBS and BDS interns at Government Medical Colleges across Jammu and Kashmir and at SKIMS Bemina, seeking revision of their long-pending internship stipend. (JKNS)
