Government hospitals in Karnataka are likely to face a staff shortage on account of a resident doctors strike. Over 4k resident doctors of Karnataka are going on strike from Monday demanding their stipend hike which hasn’t been revised in five years. Despite the highest fee for state medical courses, the stipend these residents are getting is merely 50% of the other states. Dr. Sirish Shivaramaiah, president of the Karnataka Association of Resident Doctors (KARD) said, “4200 postgraduates, 2500 interns, and 70 super specialty residents working in medical colleges and government hospitals will withdraw from their duties from Monday.”
He said that with the highest tuition fee at Rs. 1,14000/- in contrast to Bihar with no tuition fees, resident doctors in PG and super specialty courses face financial challenges due to insufficient stipends. Also, hostel stay incurs further reductions in their earnings.
Resident doctors initiated a silent protest on August 5th. They showed their grievances by wearing black bands.It is to be noted that these residents work from 36 to 48 hours and their stipend remains low. The PG resident stipend is Rs. 45k in the first year, Rs. 50k in the second year, and Rs. 55k in the third year. Super Speciality residents receive Rs. 55,000 to Rs. 65000.
Dr. Basalingappa Mukkuppi, joint secretary of KARD said, “We have made aware about our demands to deans of all medical colleges and other official concerned. We also reached out to the minister of medical education, principal secretary of medical education, and director of medical education about the stipend disparity and requested to revise it.”