FMG Interns’ Protest Enters 17th Day Over Stipend Parity, Pending Arrears
The protesting interns are seeking equal stipends, clearance of arrears and protection against arbitrary action, including extensions of their internship or punitive measures linked to their participation in the peaceful agitation.
Hyderabad: The protest by foreign medical graduate (FMG) interns entered its 17th day on Saturday, with the doctors continuing their demonstration at Dharna Chowk near Indira Park, demanding stipend parity with eligible Indian medical graduate (IMG) interns and payment of pending arrears from January.
The protesting interns are seeking equal stipends, clearance of arrears and protection against arbitrary action, including extensions of their internship or punitive measures linked to their participation in the peaceful agitation. They have demanded a formal government order or circular addressing all three issues.
The agitation has representatives from government medical colleges across Telangana, including those in Sangareddy, Nagarkurnool, Wanaparthy, Mahabubabad, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Jagtial, Mancherial, Ramagundam, Jangaon, Vikarabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, Kamareddy, Rajanna Sircilla, Kumaram Bheem Asifabad, Bhupalpally, Nirmal, Gadwal, Narayanpet, Mulugu, Narsampet, Medak, Yadadri, Kodangal and Quthbullapur. The representatives said the protest would continue until the government provides a formal resolution to their demands.
A delegation of FMG intern representatives recently met health minister Damodar Rajanarsimha in Sangareddy and explained the financial difficulties faced by foreign medical graduates undergoing internships at government medical colleges across the state.
According to the representatives, the minister assured them that he would discuss the stipend issue with the Health Secretariat and invited them for a follow-up meeting on Monday to provide an update.
