Srinagar, September 8: MLA Budgam Aga Muntazir Mehdi today visited JVC Hospital and expressed solidarity with MBBS and BDS interns observing a hunger strike over their demands.
Aga Muntazir said the contribution of interns to the healthcare system in Jammu and Kashmir is substantial, particularly in public hospitals where they form an important part of the clinical workforce.
“The services rendered by our interns directly benefit ordinary patients, particularly families who cannot afford treatment outside Jammu and Kashmir. Their contribution strengthens access to patient care within our own healthcare institutions and reduces the need for vulnerable families to travel outside the region for medical treatment,” he said.
“I myself know and understand how demanding the internship period is. Long clinical hours, heavy patient loads, and the pressure of working in public hospitals make this an exceptionally challenging phase for young doctors. Their concerns deserve a fair and compassionate response,” he said.
He expressed concern that the situation had reached the point where young medical graduates felt compelled to undertake a hunger strike.
“It is deeply regrettable that doctors at the beginning of their professional careers have been pushed to such an extreme form of protest. Their demands should have been addressed through institutional dialogue rather than allowing the matter to escalate,” he said.
Aga Muntazir also questioned reports that medical college administrations had been asked to adopt an intimidating approach towards the protesting interns.
“If young doctors raising legitimate concerns are being subjected to pressure instead of being heard, that is unacceptable. A responsive administration should facilitate dialogue, not create an atmosphere of fear around a peaceful representation of grievances,” he said.
He urged the government to engage with the interns immediately and resolve the matter through a structured and time-bound dialogue.
“These doctors are part of the healthcare workforce serving our people. Their professional concerns cannot be dismissed, and their protest cannot simply be reduced to an administrative or law-and-order issue. The government has a responsibility to address the underlying grievances and ensure that patient care is not affected,”Aga Muntazir said.
“If the government is a financial burden, reduce our salaries and accommodate them,” Muntazir said.
Earlier writing on X, he said, “I stand with the MBBS and BDS interns who have been forced to go on hunger strike.”
“That our young doctors — who serve day and night in the most difficult conditions — have been compelled to take this extreme step is a matter of deep regret. It reflects the non-seriousness of the government towards their legitimate demands.”
“Instead of addressing their concerns in good faith, I am told the government has instructed the administrations of medical colleges to intimidate them.”
“This is not what is expected from a people’s elected government, especially when dealing with issues that affect our youth,” he wrote on X.
“The way forward is dialogue and resolution, not confrontation. The government should engage with the interns, address their genuine concerns and bring this protest to an early and dignified conclusion,” he said.
