Jamshedpur Junior Doctors' Strike Disrupts Medical Services Over Stipend Hike Demand
A protest by junior doctors at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College and Hospital (MGMMCH) in Jamshedpur on Monday severely disrupted medical services as they demanded an increase in their internship stipend. The strike began at 8:30 am and continued for several hours, leading to the complete closure of outpatient department (OPD) services for the day.
Strike Forces OPD Shutdown, Affects Hundreds of Patients
Over 600 patients had to return without receiving medical consultation as the OPD registration counter remained shut and the building gates were locked by the protesting junior doctors. Although some senior doctors were present in the OPD, patients could not register for treatment due to the administrative blockade.
"I went to the hospital to consult a gastroenterologist for a stomach-related problem but the registration counter was closed," said Md Yusuf, one of the affected patients, highlighting the immediate impact on healthcare access.
Negotiations Lead to Strike Resolution
The protest involved more than 50 junior doctors and 90 trainee doctors who were demanding their monthly internship stipend be increased from Rs 75,000 to Rs 1.40 lakh. Hospital authorities had placed police on stand-by to potentially open the OPD if the doctors did not relent.
MGMMCH principal Dr Sanjay Kumar and superintendent Dr Balram Jha held two consecutive meetings with representatives of the Junior Doctors' Association (JDA), ultimately convincing them to end the strike around 2 pm.
"The government is seriously looking into their demands and it is just a matter of time before they are approved," stated Dr Balram Jha, indicating positive progress in addressing the doctors' concerns.
Assurances Given for Stipend Increase
Hospital sources revealed that health authorities have assured the junior doctors that the stipend hike will be approved in the next cabinet meeting. This commitment played a crucial role in resolving the standoff.
"We called off the strike on the assurance of the principal and superintendent," confirmed JDA secretary Dr Kunal, emphasizing that the decision to end the protest was based on these guarantees.
The incident underscores ongoing tensions in the healthcare sector regarding fair compensation for medical interns and trainees, while also demonstrating how such labor disputes can directly impact patient care and hospital operations.
