JAMMU, Sep 4: The Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), Jammu and Kashmir, has extended full support to the genuine demands of internship doctors and medical graduates serving in Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu and other associated hospitals.
The decision was taken during a meeting held at the BMS office, Parade, Jammu, under the chairmanship of Organising Secretary Ashok Choudhary. Senior BMS leader Harbans Choudhary, Deputy General Secretary Mukesh Kumar, Ramesh Lal Malhotra and Subash Chander were also present.
Speaking on the occasion, Harbans Choudhary said internship doctors and medical graduates were serving patients round the clock, while the stipend being provided to them was allegedly even lower than the minimum wages prescribed for unskilled labour. He contrasted their situation with the salaries and perks enjoyed by Ministers and MLAs, alleging that elected representatives increase their own salaries across party lines.
The BMS alleged that the Government had remained insensitive towards the medical fraternity despite the important role being performed by internship doctors in hospitals. It said emergency services in Government hospitals were substantially dependent on these doctors, who continued to work under demanding conditions.
The organisation also expressed concern over the difficulties being faced by the general public due to the indefinite strike by the doctors, particularly patients visiting Government hospitals and health centres.
BMS urged the Government to positively consider all genuine demands of the striking medical graduates and interns and take immediate steps for their redressal.
Choudhary warned that if the demands were not addressed, BMS would participate in demonstrations being organised by the protesting doctors.