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Medical Interns Face Stipend Disparity
21 Feb
Summary
- Interns in private medical colleges are allegedly paid less than government counterparts.
- NMC states stipend regulation changes need statutory process and consultation.
- RTI activist highlighted discriminatory clauses in 2021 internship regulations.
Public health advocates and student unions have raised concerns about a significant pay disparity affecting medical interns in private medical colleges compared to their counterparts in government institutions. These claims highlight an alleged underpayment of interns in private facilities across the nation.
The Under-Graduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC) has responded that modifying the current stipend payment regulations would necessitate further discussions and adherence to a statutory process. This statement comes in the wake of a letter from an ophthalmologist and RTI activist, K.V. Babu, to the Union Health Minister.
Dr. Babu pointed out discriminatory clauses within the Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship Regulations of 2021. He had previously alerted the UGMEB to the vagueness of these regulations, which he believes allow private college managements to offer inadequate stipends. The NMC, through its Director Ram Pratap, acknowledged that while the regulations stipulate stipends are fixed by the appropriate authority, actual implementation varies by state based on financial capacity.
Director Pratap further stated that any amendments would require due consultation with all concerned authorities. Dr. Babu, expressing disappointment that his earlier comments were not incorporated, urged the UGMEB to revise the regulations to prevent the continued exploitation of medical interns.
