Srinagar, Sep 14: The Jammu and Kashmir Medical Students Association (JKMSA) has called for a comprehensive revision of stipends for postgraduate residents and remuneration for senior resident doctors in government medical institutions across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The association highlighted significant disparities with other leading medical institutions and urged the government to address the matter promptly.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that the JKMSA submitted a representation to the Health Minister of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, advocating for a review of the current remuneration structure. The association also expressed solidarity with the demands put forth by the Resident Doctors Association (RDA) of Jammu and other resident doctor associations throughout the Union Territory, underscoring a unified voice for improved working conditions.
JKMSA emphasized the critical role played by postgraduate and senior resident doctors in the healthcare system. These medical professionals are integral to providing round-the-clock patient care, managing emergency and casualty services, attending to intensive care units, performing duties in operation theatres and labour rooms, and offering specialist consultations. In addition to clinical responsibilities, resident doctors are involved in clinical documentation, teaching, and supervision, all while undergoing their specialized medical training.
The association argued that the existing remuneration structure requires a thorough re-evaluation to ensure the welfare of resident doctors, promote equitable compensation, facilitate the recruitment and retention of qualified medical practitioners, enhance the quality of postgraduate medical education, and guarantee the uninterrupted delivery of patient care.
Seeks Parity with National Medical Institutions
In its detailed representation, the JKMSA presented a comparative analysis of remuneration benchmarks from various medical institutions. These included the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Jammu, Government Medical College (GMC) Chandigarh, and GMC Jammu. The figures cited illustrated a considerable gap in earnings for resident doctors.
According to the data provided by the association, PG residents at SKIMS receive monthly stipends ranging from approximately Rs 80,000 in their first year to Rs 88,000-90,000 in their third year. Senior residents at SKIMS were reported to earn around Rs 1.30 lakh per month, while their counterparts at AIIMS Jammu receive approximately Rs 1.40 lakh. Furthermore, senior residents at GMC Chandigarh reportedly earn between Rs 1.40 lakh and Rs 1.50 lakh monthly.
In contrast, the current monthly stipends for PG residents at GMC Jammu were listed as Rs 64,000 for the first year, Rs 68,000 for the second year, and Rs 72,000 for the third year. Senior residents at GMC Jammu receive Rs 94,000 per month. The JKMSA pointed out these figures as evidence of the remuneration disparities faced by resident doctors in the region, necessitating a rational and time-bound review. The association suggested that these figures could be verified against official orders and pay structures during the government’s review process.
Cites National Medical Commission Regulations
The JKMSA also referenced the Post-Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023, issued by the National Medical Commission (NMC). These regulations stipulate that postgraduate students are entitled to stipends equivalent to those paid to postgraduate students in state or Central government medical institutions located within the same state or Union Territory. The association urged the government to meticulously assess the prevailing stipends across GMC Jammu and Srinagar, SKIMS, AIIMS Jammu, and other relevant government medical institutions.
The representation further called for rectifying any existing disparities to align with the requirements set forth by the NMC. The JKMSA highlighted the extensive clinical duties undertaken by PG residents and senior residents, encompassing emergency services, inpatient care, intensive care, surgical procedures, and other essential medical functions. The association concluded that implementing a fair and uniform remuneration structure would not only enhance the welfare of resident doctors but also significantly strengthen the overall healthcare delivery system across Jammu and Kashmir.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
