Foreign Medical Graduate (FMG) interns posted at government hospitals across Telangana intensified their protest outside the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) office in Koti on Wednesday, demanding a monthly stipend of Rs 29,792, payment of arrears pending since January and protection from punitive action.
The interns have been protesting and boycotting routine duties since October 8. They want the Telangana government to issue orders granting them stipend parity with doctors who completed their medical education in India. Their demands also include the immediate release of unpaid stipends.
The protesting interns have sought assurances that participants will not face extensions of their internship, additional duties or punitive attendance measures for joining peaceful demonstrations. The demands are linked to the role FMG interns perform at government hospitals while completing their mandatory internship requirements.
Before Wednesday’s demonstration, the interns submitted memorandums to senior health authorities on September 23 and October 9. They said no official response had followed those representations, prompting them to boycott outpatient and ward duties.
“After receiving no official response, we began boycotting our routine outpatient and ward duties. Today, we staged a protest at the DME office,” the interns said, according to Telangana Today.
The interns met Telangana DME Dr N. Vani and raised what they described as serious financial and operational difficulties. Dr Vani acknowledged their concerns but said more time was required to examine the matter and consult the concerned ministry.
The protest has also raised questions about the administrative treatment of FMG interns working in the state’s government hospital system, including the process for determining stipend levels, clearing arrears and recording attendance during a dispute. The DME’s further examination and consultation will determine the next official response to the interns’ demands.
