Bijbehara, Sept 4 (JKNS): Jammu and Kashmir Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo on Friday said the demand of MBBS trainee doctors for a revision in their stipend is genuine, asserting that the matter is already under consideration with the Finance Department.
Speaking to reporters in Bijbehara, Minister Itoo, as per news agency JKNS, said she understands the difficulties faced by interns as she herself has completed MBBS and has worked as a doctor.
“I have been a doctor myself. I have done MBBS and I know how many difficulties they have to face and what all they have to go through,” she said.
The minister said interns continue to make an important contribution to hospitals and acknowledged that their demand for a stipend revision is genuine.
She said the process regarding the issue had already been initiated in the Finance Department on the directions of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
“The children met me too. I told them that their demand is genuine. We are helping you in this. You don’t need to strike,” Itoo said.
The minister also criticised political parties for extending support to the protesting trainee doctors, alleging that some were using the issue for political purposes.
“I don’t want politics. Someone should come and do politics, light a candle and then express their sympathy. They are expressing false sympathy,” she said.
Itoo questioned what steps had been taken for interns when the critics were in power, alleging that they had failed to increase their stipend during their tenure.
“When they were in power, tell me what they have done for the interns. If they have done something, they should bring it forward,” she said.
Meanwhile, MBBS trainee doctors across government medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir continued their indefinite strike for the fifth consecutive day on Friday, demanding a substantial revision in their monthly stipend.
The protesting doctors have also warned of starting a hunger strike if the government fails to address their demand by Sunday. (JKNS)
