Srinagar, Sept 7 (JKNS): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday expressed concern over the ongoing issue involving MBBS interns, saying it was unfortunate that the matter had reached this stage and should be resolved at the earliest.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, CM Omar, as per news agency JKNS, said the matter falls within the domain of the Health Department and no other department can take a decision until the concerned department acts on it.
“So, Sakina Itoo Sahiba has talked to her. As far as I know, she has been given an assurance. But you should ask Sakina about what will happen next,” the Chief Minister said.
“I would like this matter to be resolved as soon as possible. This is not for anyone’s benefit. First of all, her work is suffering. Her internship is suffering. And we don’t want our children to do this,” he said.
Background
Earlier, Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo had said that the demand of MBBS trainee doctors for a revision in their stipend was genuine and that the matter was already under consideration with the Finance Department.
Speaking to reporters in Bijbehara on September 4, Itoo, as per news agency JKNS, said she understood the difficulties faced by interns as she herself had completed MBBS and 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 had said.
The minister said interns continue to make an important contribution to hospitals and acknowledged that their demand for a stipend revision was 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 had said.
Itoo had also criticised political parties for extending support to the protesting trainee doctors, alleging that some were using the issue for political purposes.
Meanwhile, MBBS trainee doctors across government medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir had continued their indefinite strike for the fifth consecutive day on September 4, demanding a substantial revision in their monthly stipend.
The protesting doctors had also warned of starting a hunger strike if the government failed to address their demand by Sunday.—(JKNS)
