Interns at govt hospitals demand hike in salary

Interns at all the government medical college hospitals across the country formed human chains on Sunday demanding a hike in their salaries. The human chains were formed in front of emergency units of respective hospitals for two hours simultaneously from 10am demanding that their salary be hiked to Tk20,000 per month from Tk10,000. They also observed a work abstention at that time.
Witnesses said a group of interns of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) came out of the hospital and formed the human chain in front of the Central Shaheed Minar, adjacent to the emergency unit. DMCH junior doctors said they used to get Tk 6,000 per month in 2006 and later their salary was fixed at Tk 10,000 per month in 2010.
The interns said although the health ministry assured them of hiking their salaries, no step was taken in this regard. They also threatened to wage a tougher programme if their demand is not met within 15 days.
Interns observed the similar programme in other medical colleges, including Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barisal and Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, according to a news agency.
- biplab