Jhansi: Scores of MBBS interns at Maharani Laxmibai Medical College (MLBMC) staged a ‘dharna’ (sit-in) here on Monday demanding an increase in internship stipend citing a huge parity of pay structure in comparison to what the interns are getting in other states. The protesting interns submitted a memorandum to the college administration, urging it to take up the matter with the state government.Since morning, scores of interns sat on dharna in the Administrative Block of the medical college while demanding a hike in their stipend.They said MBBS interns form an integral part of the healthcare system, contributing round the clock to emergency services, patient care, ward duties, clinical work and various medical procedures. Despite carrying out significant responsibilities, they alleged that the stipend paid to the MBBS interns in Uttar Pradesh remains substantially lower than that offered in several other states and premier medical institutions, resulting in disparities in compensation.“We work day and night and at times for days without rest still we are getting a meagre Rs 12000 per month which is not sufficient for running an entire month. On the other hand, other colleges in different states pay between Rs 25,000 to Rs 30000”, said Dr Priyum. It is very depressing when they go to conferences with basic utilities while other students are seen with the latest gadgets, he added.Similarly, Dr Kapil, another intern, said that they are paid even less than daily wage labourers which is very disheartening. “We are not begging for an increased stipend, rather it is our right”.The interns, in their memorandum, demanded a reasonable and dignified increase in the internship stipend, timely disbursal of payments, and parity with stipends provided in other states and premier institutions such as the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).They also appealed to the government and the medical education department to take a sympathetic view of their demands and initiate an early decision, stating that a revision in stipend would provide greater financial security and recognition to present as well as future MBBS interns in the state.Medical college principal Dr Sudhir Kumar said that he had received the memorandum and has further forwarded it to the director-general, medical education.
