Says Health Minister Sakina Itoo Is Personally Pursuing Matter With Concerned Authorities
Srinagar, Sept 8: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister’s Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani on Tuesday said the issue concerning MBBS interns and other students was under active consideration, expressing hope that it would be resolved in the coming hours rather than days.
Speaking to media persons in Srinagar, Wani, said Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo was pursuing the matter with the concerned authorities.
“The matter of MBBS interns and other students is under consideration. The Health Minister is on it and she is talking with the concerned at the moment,” Wani said.
“I hope the issue will be resolved in the coming hours, not in days,” he added.
The statement comes amid continued demands by MBBS trainee doctors in Jammu and Kashmir for revision of their monthly stipend.
Earlier, on Monday, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had expressed concern over the issue, saying it was unfortunate that the matter had reached this stage and should be resolved at the earliest.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar on Monday, CM Omar had said the matter fell within the domain of the Health Department and that no other department could take a decision until the concerned department acted.
“As far as I know, she has been given an assurance. But you should ask Sakina about what will happen next,” the Chief Minister had said.
“I would like this matter to be resolved as soon as possible. This is not for anyone’s benefit. First of all, her work is suffering. Her internship is suffering. And we don’t want our children to do this,” Omar had said.
Earlier, Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo had termed the interns’ demand for a stipend revision as genuine and said the matter was under consideration with the Finance Department.
“I have been a doctor myself. I have done MBBS and I know how many difficulties they have to face and what all they have to go through,” Itoo had said.
She had said the government had initiated the process on the directions of the Chief Minister and urged the protesting interns not to continue their strike.
Meanwhile, MBBS trainee doctors across government medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir have been demanding a substantial revision in their monthly stipend, with the protest having continued for several days.
