Ujjain: Ayurveda Interns Lock Hospital Gates Over Stipend Hike Demand
Ayurveda intern doctors in Ujjain lock hospital gates demanding a stipend increase from ₹9,383 to ₹21,500.
In a significant escalation of their ongoing struggle, hundreds of Ayurveda intern doctors and students locked the main gates of the Government Ayurveda Medical College and Hospital in Ujjain on Monday. The protesters are demanding a substantial increase in their monthly stipend, seeking to raise it from the current ₹9,383 to ₹21,500.
Services Suspended Amidst Protest
The decision to lock the hospital gates has led to a complete suspension of outpatient department (OPD) and inpatient department (IPD) services. This sudden shutdown has caused significant inconvenience to patients, medical staff, and other healthcare workers who rely on the facility for essential medical services.
The protesting students highlighted a stark disparity in compensation, noting that BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) interns perform duties nearly identical to those of MBBS interns, yet they receive a much lower stipend. Their core demand is rooted in the principle of equal pay for equal work.
Seven Days of Peaceful Protest
The agitation did not start with the gate blockade. The intern doctors revealed that they have been engaged in a peaceful sit-in protest for the past seven days. During this period, they organized various activities, including a Sadbuddhi Yagna, a hunger strike, and a blood donation drive, to highlight their grievances.
Despite continuous efforts to engage with the authorities, the students claim their pleas have fallen on deaf ears. Dr. Nandini Solanki, a protesting intern doctor, stated that they have been submitting memorandums since September 15, but have received nothing but verbal assurances. "We had not disrupted OPD services earlier, but as our demands remained unheard, we were forced to take this step today," she said. She emphasized that the protest will continue until a written order confirming the revised stipend of ₹21,500 is issued.
Warning of Escalation
The protesters made it clear that they will not reopen the medical services until they receive a formal, written announcement from the government. Dr. Pranjal Tiwari warned that if the government fails to issue a written order, students from other colleges are expected to join the protest in Ujjain on October 15.
While acknowledging the inconvenience caused to patients, Dr. Tiwari noted that the students have been fighting for their rights for over a month. She pointed out that the prolonged protest is also negatively impacting the students' academic year and internship progress. Similarly, Dr. Rashmi Sharma noted that while they had previously prioritized patient welfare by keeping the OPD operational during their protest, the lack of response from administrative officials left them with no other choice but to take stricter measures.