After a prolonged fight, interns at government-run medical colleges were able to get a hike (Rs 2,500 to Rs 6,000) in their low stipends from this year. Now, interns at private dental colleges have also expressed unhappiness over their stipend which is an abysmally low Rs 900.
The amount does not even pay for the conveyance of the students to and from the colleges, they claim. Sometimes, the students also have to spend on some of the equipment required for the patients. This has prompted students of one of the colleges to formally write to their management asking for an increase in their stipends.
“Some of the materials like GP points have to be bought by the intern looking after the patient. At times, I have seen my friends trying to avoid more patients because of this. When government colleges can pay their interns Rs 6000, why can’t the private colleges pay us a decent stipend,” wondered one of the interns at a private college.
The management of both the dental colleges in the city avoided answering the query directly. A senior official from Kalmegh Dental College confirmed that they had received an application for the stipend to be increased. He also said the matter was under consideration by the college administration and refused to comment further. Another official said that since internship was a part of the curriculum, “the students shouldn’t be complaining about it”.
Pro-chancellor of Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences (DMIMS) and former chairman of Medical Council of India’s academic cell Dr Ved Prakash Mishra said, “According to MCI mandates, salaries of residents at government and private medical colleges must be at par.” He also said he had no idea about the rules of Dental Council of India (DCI).
Dr Mansingh Pawar, Dental Council of India member and joint director of DMER (dental) said there was no such rule made by DCI. “The only rule is that the internship should be a paid one. There is no mention of the right or ideal amount and no rule has been laid down about any comparison of payment either with residents or those of the interns at government colleges,” he said.
.