Kerala: IMA takes up issue of low stipend to house surgeons in private medical colleges

Kerala: IMA, Kerala State Branch has come out in support of many house surgeons in private medical colleges in the state, which are reportedly stated to be receiving a low stipend of Rs 3,500 to Rs 5,000 a month. The association is likely to contact the state government and MCI concerning the issue.

IMA state president Dr A V Jayakrishnan implied that as per the MCI norms, the stipend amount has been clearly specified. However, many private medical colleges are noted to be not following the norm. In addition, IMA also plans to hold a convention of house surgeons and PG students to discuss other issues concerning them.

Jayakrishnan also implied that it was also the PG students in private medical colleges which were facing a similar situation. Additional reports allege that the fixed stipend was paid to the students, only to be withdrawn later using their ATM cards. It is alleged that the amount was credited to a student’s account and the ATM card retained by the managements, to withdraw the amount later. This practice was followed only to dupe the MCI.

Only recently, with number of protests taking shape, the Kerala University of Health Sciences has directed the private medical colleges affiliated to it to pay stipend at par with GMCs in the state.

MD team had earlier reported that house surgeons at Dr Somervell Memorial Medical College and Hospital (Dr SMCSI MCH) have gone on a strike, demanding an increase in their stipend. Also called Karakonam Medical College, the 102 house surgeons were reported to be off-duty. The students had alleged that a GO says that stipend be fixed at Rs 20,000, while in comparison, they are just getting Rs 3,975 a month.

Jayakrishnan alleged that the private medical colleges were continuing to pay poor stipend because of the lack of MCI regulations.

“Apart from this, the MCI does not have any mechanism to check details of the payment made to the PG students,” he said to the Express.

The IMA said it was high-time the government and the MCI took stern action against those colleges that cheated the students of their stipend.