Patna: Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH) intern doctors have continued their indefinite strike for a second day, demanding that their monthly stipend be raised to Rs 40,000.
Currently, interns receive between Rs 18,000 and Rs 20,000. They argue that, under government rules, stipends should be reviewed every three years, but no revisions have been made for a prolonged period. “We have repeatedly urged the government to act, but our appeals are being ignored,” one intern doctor said. “We were compelled to strike so our voices could be heard.”
The strike has disrupted outpatient department (OPD) services, with around 3,000 patients forced to return without treatment on Tuesday. Many were seen waiting for hours, some lying on the floor, before leaving disappointed. While emergency services remain operational, OPD services will continue to be shut today.
Interns have warned that if their demands are not met, they will escalate the protest and shut down all OPD services entirely. They maintain that they are only asking for fair compensation in line with their workload and service.
