MBBS interns demand parity in stipend

MUMBAI : The much-awaited orientation for the recently graduated MBBS students is taking place across medical institutes in the state. However, the difference in stipend being offered by these institutes to the interns has once again raised objections.

While government medical colleges (GMCS) are paying a monthly stipend of ₹11,000 to their MBBS interns, several private medical institutes are not doing the same.

“Internships are compulsory for all. While our fellow students in GMCS are paid a stipend, our institute has clarified that no stipend will be paid, which is unfair,” said a student of a Jalgaon-based private medical college. He added that at their orientation to the internship, the college said that stipend will not be paid.

In the early 2019, the Medical Council of India (dissolved later that year and renamed National Medical Commission) had released a public notice clarifying that all MBBS students pursuing the compulsory rotating internship at the institute where their MBBS course was completed will be paid stipend at par with the interns at GMCS. This notice, however, was not converted to a gazette until MCI was dissolved, leaving the rule only on paper.

Recently, the NMC released a circular directing all medical institutes to not charge internship fees from Indian as well as foreign medical graduates (FMG). While it mentions that colleges should pay a stipend, no mention of the amount has been made.

“This is leading to more confusion. Some colleges in the state like Palghar’s Vedanta Medical College have decided to pay only ₹5,000 as monthly stipend, whereas Pune-based Kashibai Navale Medical College has decided to cover lodging and boarding costs for students. There is no uniformity in place,” said another student.

Calls to Vedanta Medical College as well as Kashibai Navale Medical College have gone unanswered.