Jahangeer Ganaie
Anantnag, Dec 13: The DNB resident doctors at Government Medical College-associated hospital at Janglat Mandi, Anantnag on Wednesday started their indefinite strike over the non-payment of their monthly stipends.
The Diplomate of National Board is a postgraduate Master’s degree same as the MD/MS degree awarded to Specialist Doctors in India after the completion of a three-year residency.
The DNB resident doctors said they haven’t received their stipends for the last seven months and were forced to go on the strike.
“We are around 40 DNB residents and most of us are from outside J&K. We have families who are dependent on us and without stipends, we are even unable to make our ends meet,” they said.
Dr Nitin, one of the doctors said that it was their biggest mistake that they have taken seats in J&K.
Despite working 24×7, authorities aren’t releasing their stipends on time, he added.
“We have started an indefinite strike, however, doctors who have duty in an emergency are performing their duties. If our stipends won’t be released within the next few days, doctors in the emergency section will also join the strike,” Dr Nitin said.
DNB residents said despite meeting higher officials of the Health and Medical Education Department in this regard and complaints with the Governor’s Grievance Cell, no positive response has come from any side.
They said that earlier Principal GMC Anantnag assured them the stipend will be released within 15 days but since then three months have passed.
“Even today after starting strike, Principal GMC Anantnag, assured uz verbally that the stipends will be released within next 8 days but we want written assurance,” they said. “Once we receive written assurance along with the date of releasing the stipend, we will resume our duties.
An official of the GMC said they have taken up the issue with higher-ups and the stipends of DNB resident doctors will be released hopefully in next one week.
