Stipend of junior doctors increased in MP:Now ₹77,662 per month; senior residents to get ₹90,803; order issued 4 days after strike

The Madhya Pradesh government has issued an order to increase the stipend of junior doctors working in the state’s medical colleges. Following the instructions of Health Minister Rajendra Shukla, the Medical Education Department issued this amendment, which will be effective from April 1, 2025. The government has increased the stipend based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This decision will directly benefit PG students, interns, senior and junior resident doctors studying in the state’s government medical colleges. This government decision is considered significant after the recent strike by junior doctors regarding stipend revision. Deputy Chief Minister says – Junior doctors are a crucial link in the health system Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla said that junior doctors are an important link in the state’s healthcare system. In medical colleges and their associated hospitals, they not only complete their medical training but also play a crucial role in providing continuous healthcare services to patients. The state government is continuously striving to strengthen the quality of medical education and make healthcare services more effective and people-oriented. The government is confident that junior doctors will contribute with full commitment to further strengthening healthcare services. Stipend Increased Based on CPI Decision came after the strike There had been long-standing dissatisfaction among junior doctors across the state regarding stipend revision. Resident doctors, senior residents, and interns, under the leadership of the Junior Doctors Association (JDA), began protests. On March 9, junior doctors went on strike from 9 AM, which continued until 5 PM. Later, after a joint meeting with Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla and the Commissioner of Medical Education, the JDA decided to postpone the strike until March 16. In its official statement, the JDA said that detailed discussions were held on the doctors’ pending demands during the meeting, and an assurance of a positive resolution was given. Hospital services were affected by the strike The impact of the junior doctors’ strike was seen in several hospitals, including Bhopal’s Gandhi Medical College and Hamidia Hospital. Services at the PPTCT Counseling and Testing Center, Fertility Clinic, and ANC Room in the Gynaecology Department of Gandhi Medical College were affected. General patients had to wait for a long time for treatment. The biggest impact of the strike was on surgery services. According to Hamidia Hospital data, more than 20 operations had to be postponed on March 9. Protesting by wearing black armbands Junior doctors staged a peaceful protest wearing black armbands for the past three days, from March 6 to 9. They also submitted memorandums to the Deans and Heads of Departments in all medical colleges across the state. The doctors clarified that emergency services continued as before, so that critically ill patients would not face any inconvenience. However, OPD and other routine services were boycotted.