The government has reached a three-point agreement with medical student Dilli Harijan regarding his request for higher stipends for medical interns, following his five-day hunger strike.
This agreement was made between Harijan’s representatives and a government negotiating team led by Jayaram Adhikari, joint secretary at the Ministry of Education and Sports.
As part of the agreement, the government will present a proposal at the next Medical Education Commission meeting to increase stipends for medical interns.
Proposal Links Stipend to Government Health Workers’ Salary
The proposal aims to provide students completing one-year internships in MBBS, BDS, and other relevant programs with a monthly stipend equal to 50% of the starting salary for an eighth-level government health service employee.
This proposal will be discussed at the Medical Education Commission meeting. However, the agreement does not mean that the increased stipend has been approved or implemented yet.
Medical interns have consistently voiced concerns about their stipend amounts, arguing that their workload and responsibilities should be reflected in their compensation.
Second Hunger Strike Over Unmet Commitment
Harijan previously staged a hunger strike in July, focusing on the working conditions and benefits for interns and resident doctors.
At that time, the government made commitments to address his concerns. However, Harijan resumed his protest, claiming that authorities failed to follow through on their promises.
He began his second hunger strike at the Medical Education Commission’s site in Sanothimi, Bhaktapur, and was later taken to Bir Hospital in Kathmandu for treatment due to declining health.
This latest agreement aims to advance the stipend issue through the commission’s decision-making process. Further actions will depend on whether the proposal is discussed in the upcoming meeting.