Over 400 junior doctors, interns at self-financed Gujarat Medical Education & Research Society (GMERS) medical colleges in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and Valsad, went on strike on Thursday as their ‘COVID allowance’ was not paid. 

The state government had promised them the allowance during the second wave of COVID-19 in the country. A doctor said that Rs 5,000 monthly COVID allowance over the stipend was promised to the intern doctors from March till June. The interns of the government-run colleges have received the allowance; however, intern doctors at GMERS-run colleges have not received the same, added the doctor.

Gujarat deputy CM Nitin Patel said that the issue would be resolved soon and requested the striking doctors to join work. He went on to say that internship is mandatory for every medical student and that these students should thank the government for arranging internship for them at government hospitals and giving them allowances as well. The government has shown a big heart, not the intern doctors, he added. He also said that the intern doctors should show some concern for the patients.

Source: ET Healthworld