Junior doctors of Patna Medical College and Hospital have threatened an indefinite strike from November 15.

The Junior Doctors’ Association (JDA), Bihar, is doing so to press for raising of stipend, changing selection criteria of senior residents and fixing age limit for the post of senior residents.

“For the last year, we have been meeting health officials regarding our demands, but to no avail. So, we were forced to call the strike. At present all post graduate doctors get only Rs 30,000 as stipend. We want this to be raised to Rs 48,000 (1st year) Rs 50,000 (2nd year) and 52,000 (3rd year). Also, interns, junior house surgeons and senior house surgeons get only Rs 7,000 in stipend. We want to raise it to Rs 15,000, 16,000 and 17,000, respectively.

“Another demand of ours is to change the selection criteria of senior residents. According to rules, no written exam is conducted to select candidates. They are chosen on the basis of MBBS and PG marks. We want it changed. Selection should be done through competitive examination,” said Vivekanand Paul, co-ordinator, JDA.

They also want to set an age limit for the post of senior residents. Paul said: “According to MCI norms, an assistant professor’s age limit is 45 years. As the state government has not fixed any age limit for senior resident, even 50-year-olds are being recruited. Rules say a doctor who has served as senior resident for three years can be promoted as assistant professor but if doctors above 45 are recruited as senior residents, they can’t be promoted as assistant professors. That leads to many posts of assistant professor lying vacant.”

Frequent clashes

Frequent clashes between attendants and junior doctors at Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital owing to alleged absence of medicines and equipment have been paralysing medical services at the health hub. Junior doctors have often boycotted work. But they rejoin duty as the hospital administration gives them assurances.