Jammu, 03 September (H.S.): The strike by MBBS and BDS interns across Jammu and Kashmir entered its third day today, with patient-care duties increasingly shifting to senior residents (SRs) and postgraduate (PG) doctors as the Government remained silent on their demand for enhancement of the monthly stipend.

The interns, currently receiving Rs 12,300 per month, continued their protests at GMCs in Jammu, Srinagar, Kathua, Doda, Rajouri, Udhampur, Anantnag and Baramulla, besides SKIMS and SKIMS Medical College, Bemina. They warned of intensifying the agitation, including resorting to a hunger strike, if the Government failed to issue a formal order on the stipend hike.

The interns said they were involved in OPDs, emergency services and other patient-care duties alongside their training and often worked long hours. They maintained that the existing stipend was inadequate to meet their expenses.

We work long hours in OPDs and emergencies and contribute to patient care. We deserve a fair stipend and will continue our protest until the Government takes a decision, said Tanish Mansotra, an intern at GMC Jammu.

Another intern said there had been no communication from the Government so far regarding the demand. We need an urgent decision. The strike will continue until the Government issues an order, the intern said.

The continued absence of interns has increased the workload of SRs and PG doctors, particularly in busy OPDs, emergency departments and other patient-care services.

A senior resident at SMHS Hospital said staffing levels were already thin in several departments and the additional workload was putting considerable pressure on the available doctors.

The pressure has increased significantly. There are only a few doctors available in the emergency, while referrals continue to come in and the workload remains high. Senior residents and PGs are having to shoulder most of the work, the resident said.

The interns acknowledged the additional burden on senior doctors but maintained that they would not call off the strike without a decision on the stipend.

At SKIMS Medical College, Bemina, National Conference MLA Farooq Ahmad Shah met the protesting interns and attempted to initiate a dialogue. He invited two interns to accompany him for a meeting with the authorities, but the protesters insisted that any talks should be held in the presence of representatives from all medical colleges across J&K.

The interns also sought a joint meeting with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Lieutenant Governor, besides demanding an immediate order enhancing the stipend.

Representatives of the All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA), including Dr Tasaduk, Dr Shahnawaz and Dr Faraz from SKIMS and Dr Akib from GMC Anantnag, backed the demand and urged the Government to take a decision instead of repeatedly stating that the file was under process.

AIMSA J&K in-charge Dr Mohammad Momin Khan also called for an early decision on the stipend hike.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar