Pune’s Medical Intern Strike: Stipend Delay at BJMC Threatens Hospital Services

By Prashant for PuneriPages.in

When you hear about medical interns going on strike, it’s easy to think it’s just another protest. But this one hits home. It’s about students who’ve spent years studying, finally entering hospitals to serve real patients—and now, they’re working without being paid for three straight months. Can you imagine doing 24-hour shifts in a government hospital and not getting a rupee for it?

That’s exactly what’s happening at BJ Medical College in Pune. On July 15, over 150 interns decided they’d had enough. They launched an indefinite strike, demanding their rightful stipend. And honestly, who could blame them?

What’s Really Going On: The Intern Stipend System Explained

Here’s the thing—this isn’t just a college-level issue. The money isn’t sitting in some dusty locker at BJMC waiting to be distributed. The funds start at the State Government, pass through the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER), and finally reach the college. Somewhere in this chain, things get delayed. Bureaucracy or budget lapses? No one’s telling clearly.

These interns are supposed to get around Rs. 11,000 per month. It’s not a fortune, but it’s supposed to cover their rent, food, transport—basic survival. Without it, they’re left borrowing, struggling, and now, finally, speaking up.

The Role of Interns: Not Just Students Anymore

If you’ve ever visited Sassoon General Hospital, chances are the first person who attended to you wasn’t a senior doctor but an intern. They draw blood, do patient rounds, manage records, assist in surgeries, help in the emergency ward—you name it. They are the real, unsung engine of our public hospitals.

Now imagine removing that engine. With the strike, senior doctors are overloaded. OPDs are slower, wards are stretched, and patients—many of them from low-income backgrounds—are the ones suffering the most. It’s a ripple effect we can’t ignore.

The Bigger Picture: This Isn’t the First Time

Here’s what really makes this frustrating—this isn’t the first time. It happened last year. And the year before that. Interns across Maharashtra have repeatedly gone on strike for the same reason. And every time, the pattern’s the same: protests, media coverage, an “assurance,” and then… silence until the next cycle.

So what’s the solution? That’s what this strike is really asking.

So What Do the Interns Want?

1. Immediate release of their pending three-month stipend.
2. A permanent solution—perhaps an automated, centralized payment system to avoid this in the future.

They’re not asking for a raise. They’re asking to be paid—on time—for work they’re already doing. That’s not entitlement; that’s basic respect.

Promise Tracker

FAQ: What You Need to Know

Q: Is this strike only at BJMC?
No, similar issues have been reported at other government medical colleges in Maharashtra too.

Q: Why don’t they just continue working?
Would you work full-time without pay for three months straight? Especially in high-stress environments like ICUs and emergency wards?

Q: What happens now?
Most likely, the authorities will hold meetings, release the funds temporarily, and promise future improvements. The real test is whether anything actually changes.

Final Thoughts: This Affects All of Us

Whether you’re a parent, a patient, or just a concerned Punekar—this matters. These interns are tomorrow’s doctors. They’re doing real work, for real people, under real pressure. The least we can do is ensure they’re paid on time.

If nothing else, let’s not stay silent. Share this. Talk about it. And maybe—just maybe—this time, the system will listen.

Written by someone who cares deeply about Pune and believes in fair systems: you can call me just another local voice trying to make sense of it all.

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Prashant

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