The state government’s decision to rope in MBBS and nursing students in Himachal Pradesh has left medical students disappointment with the honorarium and incentive announced for their services. Young doctors in the state have criticised paltry incentive ranging from Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,000 per month for serving in Covid wards. The government said 4th and 5th year MBBS students serving at Covid hospitals would get an incentive of Rs 3,000 per month, government contractual doctors Rs 3,000 per month, nursing students Rs 1,500 per month, junior and senior residents Rs 3,000 per month, contractual lab staff Rs 1,500 per month and third-year students Rs 1,500 per month. After much uproar, the notification was put on hold. However, in Maharashtra, one of the worst affected states, interns in the Nagpur Medical College are on strike over not getting quarantine facilities and stipends. Interns may not be happy. But many final-year students are ready to work. It’s a high-risk job, but they say it’s their duty to the nation in this hour of crisis and can only hope the government will take care of them.
