No stipend for 8 months! ESIC Patna interns struggle as appeals, notices get ‘ignored’

NEW DELHI: The Foreign Medical Graduate (FMG) interns of the ESIC Medical College have not received their stipend for nearly 8 months now. Despite multiple appeals and assurances from the authorities, interns have been awaiting stipends since July 2024.

In this regard, a petition has been filed by 44 interns in Patna High Court against the Union government and the medical college authorities, as per report.

The national social media secretary of the United Doctors Front (UDF), Dr Bhanu Kumar wrote on X: “ESIC Medical College & Hospital, Bihta, Patna interns struggle as stipends remain unpaid since July 2024! Despite repeated appeals, no resolution in sight!”

On March 4, 2022, the National Medical Commission (NMC) had clarified that "the stipend and other facilities to FMGs should be extended equivalent to Indian medical graduates being trained at government medical colleges as fixed by the appropriate authority applicable to the institution/University or State". Later, in 2024, the stipend for MBBS interns in ESIC institutes was revised from Rs 26,300 to Rs 30,070.

ESIC interns await stipend: A timeline of events

May 15, 2022 - The NMC-UGMEB clarified that the stipend and other facilities to FMGs should be extended equally to Indian MBBS graduates.

September 15, 2023- The Supreme Court also directed the medical colleges to pay the FMGs interns equivalent to Indian medical graduates. A NMC report published then also revealed that 70 percent of the medical colleges in the country are not paying stipends to their intern.

May 3, 2024 - Selected students were allotted ESIC Medical College and Hospital Bihta, Patna for their internship programme by the Registrar of the Bihar Council of Medical Registration.

July 2024 - All interns joined ESIC medical college as interns.

October 20, 2024 - The ESIC deputy director issued a circular for making payment of monthly stipend of Rs 30,070 to MBBS interns in the medical college. However, those who have been discharging duties since July 2024 did not receive the stipend despite requesting to the Dean, ESIC college.

November 21, 2024 - Interns sent their representation to the Union Cabinet minister, ministry of labour and employment, Government of India, requesting to direct the college authorities to make payment pending since July 2024.

November 30, 2024 - NMC issued show-cause notice to 198 medical colleges for not providing stipend data.

December 20, 2024 - A legal notice was sent to the Dean, ESIC Medical College & Hospital, Bihta, Patna on behalf of the interns requesting to clear the dues. However, it has not been paid till date.