The government has said in a legislative assembly that they are working on raising the monthly payments for MBBS and BDS interns from Rs 12,300 to Rs 25,000.
The approval letter is now waiting for finance department approval, and the fact that it is already at a late stage in approval gives an indication of the government’s ability to involve people that make up our health care system.
Medical interns have been working with no appreciation for their critical work in the Union Territory because of financial constraints they face when working.
Interns are not like students; they are doctors in training who work long hours in the hospital, the emergency room, and the operating theatre.
Interns are the first people to meet many patients—working with experienced doctors—yet have more responsibility than pay.
Their current stipend of 12,300 has not kept pace with inflation, the cost of living, and how much academic and emotional stress it takes to complete an internship in medicine.
A high-level committee established in 2023 lately proposed raising the minimum salary for medical/dental residents to INR 25k; this is NOT mainly an economic adjustment, but rather represents recognition of their contributions to India’s healthcare system.
Government leadership should be commended for its far-reaching processes surrounding this decision. The government has avoided populist political gestures and knee-jerk announcements in making this change.
The department of Health and Medical Education (H&ME), chaired by the Director of Finance of H&ME, conducted an in-depth review of medical/dental resident salary proposals.
After H&ME received requests from the Finance Department for further information and clarification concerning the salary increases, H&ME promptly responded to these requests instead of allowing the issue to sit unattended.
H&ME quickly contacted affected medical/dental colleges, obtained sufficient information, and provided the revised findings to the Finance Department.
Although this cautious approach may have created angst amongst medical/dental residents seeking immediate salary/relief, it will ensure the final determination is a sustainable, fiscally responsible decision. In addition, careful governance practices established by H&ME demonstrate commitment to long-term stability versus short-term achievement.
