CM Omar Abdullah shows concern on MBBS interns’ issue, throws ball in Sakina’s court

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 07 (STC): Expressing concern over the ongoing protest of MBBS doctors undergoing training in government medical colleges and their demand for increase in stipend, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said that this issue should be resolved at the earliest. He pointed at Health and Medical Education department as the right forum to settle the issue.
He said that this situation is not in anyone’s interest and the biggest loss is being done to the education, training and work of the interns themselves. While talking to reporters here today, the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that the issue of MBBS interns comes under the jurisdiction of the Health and Medical Education Department and until the concerned department takes action in this regard, no other department can take a decision in this regard.
“The Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo has raised the issue at the relevant level and she has also been assured. Reliable information about the upcoming action can be obtained from the Health Minister,” Omar Abdullah said and added that he wants the issue of MBBS interns to be resolved as soon as possible.
Calling the current situation not in anyone’s interest, as it is primarily affecting the work of the interns and their internship, the Chief Minister said that the government does not want the students to have to resort to protest or strike to get their demands met.
Meanwhile, MBBS doctors in training in government medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir continued their indefinite strike demanding a substantial increase in monthly stipend. The protesting trainee doctors had warned the government that if their demand was not met within the stipulated time, they would also consider going on a hunger strike.
(Straight Talk Communications)