By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 16 Sep: Health Minister Subodh Uniyal today visited the Government Doon Medical College and Hospital and held talks with postgraduate (PG), senior resident (SR) and junior resident (JR) doctors in respect of their demands. The PG and the resident doctors have been on protest for the past nine days demanding hike in their stipend and remuneration. Following an assurance from the minister that the matter is being seriously considered and that positive action would be taken soon, the protesting doctors have decided to suspend their agitation for a stipulated period.
During today’s interaction, Uniyal heard the demands of the protesting doctors and assured them that the government is seriously considering the issue and that necessary steps would be taken soon. He also interacted with the MBBS students and reiterated the government’s commitment to resolving the problems being faced by medical students and doctors. The minister added that the doctors form an important link in the delivery of healthcare services and that addressing their legitimate concerns is among the government’s priorities. He said the government is making efforts to resolve the issues through dialogue and coordination with the medical fraternity.
Following the assurance, the PG, SR and JR doctors decided to suspend their dharna for a stipulated period. The development brings temporary relief to the impasse at Doon Hospital, while the final decision on the proposed revision of stipends and remuneration remains awaited.
It may be recalled that the doctors had intensified their protest after repeated representations and discussions with the authorities failed to result in a written decision on their demands. The agitation had also affected routine healthcare services at government hospitals in Uttarakhand, with PG doctors and resident doctors boycotting OPD and ward duties while emergency and intensive care services were being maintained.
The main demand of the PG doctors has been an increase in their monthly stipend from around Rs 70,000 to Rs 1.10 lakh. Sources meanwhile also claimed that the PG doctors had initially sought at least Rs 1 lakh, while the demand but it has been subsequently raised to Rs 1.10 lakh. The doctors pointed out that their workload, clinical responsibilities and long duty hours have increased substantially, while the stipend has not been revised adequately.
Senior resident doctors have also been seeking revision of their monthly remuneration. During the agitation, a proposal under consideration at the government level reportedly envisages Rs 1 lakh for senior residents, while the proposed amount for PG doctors was Rs 90,000 and upwards depending on the year of training.
Junior resident doctors have also raised the issue of revision of their stipend. Their current monthly stipend is stated to be around Rs 60,000, with a demand for an increase to Rs 1 lakh. Resident doctors have pointed out that the JR stipend has remained largely unchanged for about 15 years despite a rise in workload and responsibilities.
The agitation had initially been accompanied by a protest by MBBS interns, who were demanding an increase in their monthly stipend from Rs 17,000 to Rs 30,000. Around 600 interns from government medical colleges across the state had participated in the agitation. The Dhami Cabinet subsequently approved an increase in the intern stipend, while the PG and resident doctors continued their protest over their separate demands.
At Doon Hospital, the agitation had intensified in recent days, with protesting PG doctors closing the OPD for some time and locking the main hospital gate. Yesterday, the doctors also held a dharna at the main gate amid rain and prevented vehicles of doctors and staff from entering through the gate, while the smaller gate remained open for patients and attendants.
