Share your story and shine at JK Monitor!🌟 Welcome to JK Monitor, where every story matters and every achievement is celebrated! We invite you to share the remarkable journey of your life and showcase your accomplishments to the world. Join our exclusive interviews that honor exceptional individuals just like you. JAMMU: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State Spokesperson Dr. Hari Dutt Shishu strongly condemned the Jammu and Kashmir Health Minister Sakina Itoo for her highly casual and insensitive approach during a high-level meeting with the agitating MBBS and BDS intern doctors.
The intern doctors have been on an indefinite strike for the last 5 days across 11 government medical colleges in the Union Territory, demanding a long-overdue revision of their monthly stipend from a meager ₹ 12,000 to ₹ 30000.
In a strongly-worded press statement, Dr. Hari Dutt Shishu expressed deep disappointment over the outcome of the 90-minute meeting held at the Chief Minister's office, which ended in a complete deadlock due to the government’s lack of concrete commitment.
"It is highly unfortunate that despite the medical interns stretching themselves to the limit on the frontline of healthcare, the Health Minister chose to offer nothing but vague, verbal assurances," Dr. Shishu stated. "The young doctors have been forced to hit the streets because the file for their legitimate stipend enhancement has been gathering dust in the Finance Department since 2023. Over the last three years, these doctors have been repeatedly fed the same bureaucratic excuse that 'the procedure is underway'.
Turning up to a meeting today with the exact same verbal promises proves the government's total lack of political will and serious concern." The BJP leader highlighted that there is a deep "trust deficit" between the ruling administration and the medical fraternity due to consecutive failures to deliver on past promises. He defended the agitating interns' refusal to call off the strike without a formalized, written order.
Dr. Shishu warned the Omar Abdullah-led government against playing with the future of the medical workforce and the health of the common people. "The demands of these interns are absolutely genuine. J&K provides one of the lowest stipends to medical interns in the entire country, failing to account for their intensive workload and the current cost of living. If the healthcare system across J&K's premier hospitals collapses due to prolonged agitation, the sole responsibility will lie on the shoulders of the casual and dismissive Health Minister."
The BJP demands that instead of testing the patience of the young medicos, the Health Minister must coordinate immediately with the Finance Department to issue a definitive written order implementing the stipend hike with immediate effect. The BJP stands firmly with the young doctors and will continue to back their struggle for dignity and justice.
