Strike by IIOJK intern doctors enters fifth day over low stipends; Mirwaiz demands end to exploitation

SRINAGAR, Sep 5 (APP): The indefinite strike by intern doctors in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) entered its fifth consecutive day, completely paralyzing healthcare services across major government hospitals in the territory.

Protesting MBBS and BDS interns are demanding a stipend increase from their current monthly allowance of Rs 12,300 to Rs 30,000.

Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Omar Farooq voiced strong support for the protesting doctors, calling on the puppet government to stop the economic exploitation of young medical professionals.

“We stand firmly with the young doctors in their democratic demand. A monthly stipend of Rs 12,300 for young doctors working day and night shift duty is sheer injustice and completely inadequate,” Mirwaiz said and urged the administration to immediately accept the interns’ legitimate demands to ensure poor patients in the valley do not suffer.

The doctors highlighted severe pay disparities, questioning why Kashmiri doctors earn three times less than their counterparts in India.

“The Indian government forces us to work 18-hour shifts for a meager daily wage of just Rs400,” protesting doctors said. They also raised concerns over a seven-year freeze on their remuneration, asking why their stipends have not been revised since 2019.

The protesters revealed that despite approval for a Rs 25,000 monthly stipend, the relevant file remains deliberately delayed in the Finance Department.

Political experts noted that house officers (interns) working in major public hospitals in Pakistan receive approximately $232 to $251 per month—nearly double the stipend given to interns in IIOJK.

The ongoing strike has crippled medical operations at major healthcare facilities, including Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar and Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura as the striking interns have threatened to escalate their protest to a hunger strike if their demands are not addressed.

Massive protests and anti-administration slogan-shouting were also reported from GMC Jammu. Intern doctors have completely withdrawn from duties at government hospitals across Anantnag (Islamabad), Baramulla, Rajouri, and Kathua.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Mehbooba Mufti visited GMC Srinagar at night to express solidarity, spending time with the protesting doctors at their sit-in site. She demanded Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to ensure the doctors’ salary file is cleared within 7 to 10 days.