Epidemic Crisis and Resident Doctors’ Strike: Government Offers 20% Stipend Increase, Emergency Services Disrupted, Over 10,000 OPDs Canceled
Resident doctors across the state, who recently went on strike to protest the rape-murder case of a junior doctor in Kolkata, are once again striking today over stipend issues. During this strike, the resident doctors will withdraw from all services, including emergency care.
They are expressing their anger against the government’s decision to increase stipends every five years instead of the usual three years. Additionally, they are protesting the meager 20% stipend increase instead of the expected 40%.
This strike comes at a time when seasonal diseases are spreading, causing significant inconvenience for patients. Over 10,000 OPDs have been canceled in Ahmedabad today. Meanwhile, resident doctors in Vadodara will decide on their course of action after a meeting. Currently, all services at Sayaji Hospital and Gotri Hospital are operational.
No Strike by Resident Doctors in Surat; Services Continue Uninterrupted
All services at Surat’s Civil Hospital and SMIMER Hospital are operating as usual, with no strike in place. The resident doctors in Surat have not joined the ongoing strike. A decision regarding their participation will be made after a meeting.
Government Deems Resident Doctors’ Strike Over Stipend Hike Unjustified
The state government has issued a press release stating that the Junior Doctors Association’s threat to strike for a 40% stipend increase is completely unjustified. The government criticized the decision as inhumane, arguing that it puts patient care at risk. They emphasized that such actions, which effectively hold patients hostage, are unacceptable.
The statement further highlighted that Gujarat is among the leading states in the country in providing the highest stipends to resident doctors. Unlike other states, the stipends given to interns and resident doctors in Gujarat are tax-free, whereas even the salaries of professors who teach these resident doctors are subject to taxes.
Doctors on Strike at These Hospitals
| Hospital Name | Number of OPDs |
|---|---|
| Civil Hospital | 3,500 |
| Sola Civil Hospital | 1,500 |
| LG Hospital | 2,000 |
| Shardaben Hospital | 1,500 |
| SVP Hospital | 1,200 |
Government Labels Resident Doctors’ Demands as Completely Unreasonable
Resident doctors in Gujarat have long been receiving a stipend exceeding ₹1 lakh, which has now been increased by 20%, raising it to ₹1.3 lakh. In contrast, many states across the country offer stipends ranging from ₹40,000 to ₹70,000. Additionally, while other states enforce a three-year bond, Gujarat requires only a one-year bond for resident doctors.
The stipend for resident doctors in Gujarat is even higher than the salaries of contract-based professors who teach them. The demand for a stipend greater than what their professors earn is, according to the government, entirely unreasonable.
Stipend Increase for Resident Doctors
| Year | New Stipend (₹) | Old Stipend (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | 1,00,800 | 84,000 |
| Second Year | 1,02,480 | 85,400 |
| Third Year | 1,05,000 | 87,500 |
| Fourth Year | 1,10,880 | 92,400 |
Resident Doctors Demand 40% Stipend Increase
Representatives from B.J. Medical College in Ahmedabad stated that they have been legally appealing to the Health Minister and officials of the Health Department for the past six months regarding the stipend increase.
According to their appeals, junior doctors typically receive a 40% stipend increase every three years. The last such increase occurred on April 1, 2021, with the three-year period ending on March 31, 2024. Therefore, they have been demanding a 40% stipend increase from April 1, 2024, in line with the government’s circular.
“Only a Disappointing 20% Increase Was Given”
During a meeting with the Health Minister on July 9, 2024, we were assured a 40% increase in our stipend. Trusting the democratic government, we decided to suspend our protests.
However, despite holding 10 to 12 follow-up meetings and putting in six months of continuous effort, only a disappointing 20% increase was granted. Furthermore, in a breach of our trust, the period for the next stipend increase has been extended to five years.
State Government Announces 20% Stipend Increase on August 31
On August 31, the state government announced a 20% increase in stipends for medical interns and resident doctors. As per this increase, medical interns at government medical colleges will now receive ₹21,840, dental interns ₹20,160, physiotherapy interns ₹13,440, and Ayurveda and Homeopathy interns ₹15,120. This stipend increase has been implemented retroactively, effective from April 1, 2024.
Stipend Increase for Medical and Dental Residents
For super specialist services, medical residents will now receive the following stipends:
- First Year: ₹1,20,960
- Second Year: ₹1,26,000
- Third Year: ₹1,34,400
For dental residents (degree), the stipends are:
- First Year: ₹78,960
- Second Year: ₹81,480
- Third Year: ₹83,496
For physiotherapy residents (degree):
- First Year: ₹35,280
- Second Year: ₹43,680
Stipends for Doctors in Other States
| State | Stipend (₹) |
|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu | 50,000 |
| Himachal Pradesh | 40,000 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 69,000 |
| Kerala | 55,000 |
| Manipur | 50,000 |
| Meghalaya | 75,000 |
| Rajasthan | 72,000 |
| Telangana | 58,000 |
| Karnataka | 90,000 |
| Odisha | 83,000 |
Number of Interns and Resident Doctors in the State
In the state’s government medical, Ayurvedic, Homeopathy, dental, and physiotherapy colleges, as well as medical colleges under GMERS, there are 4,302 interns and 5,332 resident doctors. Increasing the stipends for these students will place an additional financial burden of ₹122.83 crore on the government treasury.
Increase in Stipends for Doctors at Government and GMERS Medical Colleges
Interns and resident doctors in the undergraduate, postgraduate, and super-specialty programs at 6 government medical colleges and 13 GMERS (Gujarat Medical Education and Research Society) medical colleges in the state will benefit from an increase in stipend rates.
This increase applies to interns and resident doctors in medical, dental, physiotherapy, homeopathy, and Ayurvedic programs.
Benefits for Degree Medical Residents
Degree medical residents will receive the following stipends:
- First Year: ₹1,00,800
- Second Year: ₹1,02,480
- Third Year: ₹1,05,000
- Fourth Year (Senior Residents) and Clinical Assistants: ₹1,10,880
Stipends for Medical Residents (Diploma) and Other Categories
Medical Residents (Diploma):
- First Year: ₹75,600
- Second Year: ₹82,320
Ayurvedic Services PG Residents:
- First Year: ₹50,400
- Second Year: ₹53,760
- Third Year: ₹57,120
GMERS Medical College Interns:
- Interns: ₹21,840
- Junior Residents: ₹1,00,800
- Senior Residents: ₹1,10,880
