Bhopal Intern Doctors Protest: Talks With Govt Fail, Medicos Refuse To Retreat Without Written Order On Stipend Hike & Police Action

Bhopal: Protest talks between the Madhya Pradesh government and MBBS interns over a stipend hike remained inconclusive on Tuesday. Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla met with the doctors, informing them that the issue would be revisited after Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's return from Dubai. However, the interns insisted the protest would persist until they receive a written order for the stipend hike and confirmation of action taken against those responsible for the police crackdown.

The demonstrators continued their protest in Kamla Park-Kilol Park Square for the second day, demanding "One Nation-One Stipend." Heavy police presence was evident, with traffic rerouted around the area. The protest has disrupted medical operations at Hamidia Hospital, with regular outpatient services and scheduled surgeries boycotted.

While emergency services are still operating, critically ill patients are receiving treatment in the emergency ward. Typically, Hamidia Hospital's outpatient department serves around 2,000 patients, but many faced long queues of three to four hours. JUDA, the Junior Doctors Association, has suspended routine clinical services, including outpatient departments and non-emergency hospital activities across the state, effective immediately.

However, essential healthcare services such as emergency, trauma, intensive care, labor rooms, and critical care will continue.