Gujarat Increases Medical Intern Stipends by 25%

The Junior Doctors Association (JDA) of BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad has initiated a strike demanding a 40% stipend increase, following a 20% raise granted by the Gujarat government. The strike, which affects all services including emergency duties, stems from frustrations over unmet assurances from the government, which claimed that the demands were unjustified. Although the stipend hike will come into effect from April 1, 2024, benefitting over 3,000 interns and resident doctors across various medical fields, the JDA argues that their trust in the government has been compromised. The state government contends that Gujarat offers competitive stipends, stating it is a leader in this regard. Currently, stipends for medical interns are set at Rs 21,840 monthly, while first-year resident doctors will earn Rs 1,00,800. The ongoing strike may impact numerous outpatient departments and planned surgeries across the state.