Patna: The strike by intern doctors at PMCH concluded on Tuesday after assurances that their demand for a stipend hike would be considered within seven days. The doctors, who currently receive Rs 18,000–20,000 per month, have been pressing for a raise to Rs 40,000, citing a rule that mandates revision every three years.
Over the past two days, outpatient services at the hospital were severely disrupted, leaving nearly 3,000 patients without treatment. Many patients were forced to wait for hours before returning home, while others were seen lying on the floor in hope of medical care. Emergency services, however, remained functional throughout the protest.
Intern doctors had warned that if their demands were ignored, they would escalate the strike to completely shut down OPD services. “We have ended our strike now so that patient care is not affected. If no action is taken within a week, we will resume our protest,” said intern doctor Mohammad Ali Modshir.
The superintendent has forwarded a written assurance of resolution to higher authorities, raising hopes that the long-pending issue of stipend revision will finally be addressed.
