The strike of resident doctors of NKP Salve Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre entered its seventh day on Thursday, with no solution worked out during the negotiations. The health services in the region were badly affected due to the ongoing strike of the resident doctors. The resident doctors had to proceed on strike for their genuine demand of a hike in their stipend to make it at par with what is paid to the resident doctors of Government Medical College and Hospital.
The resident doctors have quoted the Gazzette of India (Extraordinary Part III, Section 4) (PGMER, 2023) and DMER=11021/1/2024/ CETIT dated 28.02.2023 in support of their demand.
Although the decision has been made for increasing the stipend it has not been implemented.
The junior residents at NKP Salve Institute get Rs 65,000, while those at GMCH are paid Rs 77,000. The resident doctors on strike have demanded to bring the stipend at par and also to pay the arrears. The resident doctors are also compelled to stay at the hostels. The condition of hostel buildings and the basic amenities provided to the residents remained neglected for several years. The same is the condition at the Government Colleges.
The resident doctors, who are of major help in running the hospital attached to the college, and decried the negligent approach of the authorities to their problems. About 350 residents are on the strike.