Chandigarh: No stipend, GMCH interns go on strike

CHANDIGARH: Interns of GMCH, Sector 32, who have been working in containment zones and other Covid areas round the clock, went on an indefinite strike for not receiving stipend from Wednesday.
Sources said as their final results are still not declared, they are not being paid for that period.
“We have not got our final professional results for two months since our exams got over. It is impossible for us to continue with our duties wholeheartedly. So, we have initiated a strike from today which will be indefinite till our results are announced,” said a circular given by interns to their seniors.
Director-principal Prof Jasbinder Kaur, however, denied having received any official intimation.
Junior residents said despite having passed their postgraduation examination, they are still retained as junior residents.
The interns and junior residents are the backbone of the manpower in medical institutions. “Right from testing to managing patients in Covid areas, we have been working diligently. But now we shall not be able to continue with our duties, despite our best intentions. We apologise for the inconvenience and promise to be back as soon as our grievances are resolved,” the circular said.
Last year, considering the Covid duties, the UT had approved the internship stipend’s enhancement from Rs 9,000 to Rs 18,000 for medical students in GMCH.
There are 100 interns in the medical college who have been posted in the Covid emergency, ICUs and other critical areas. They are also handling non-Covid emergency areas.