Interns at private medical college stage protest

Interns at private medical college stage protest

We were asked to report for COVID duty at short notice, they allege

11/07/2020

Interns of a city-based private medical college staged a protest on their campus on Friday after some of them were posted for COVID-19 duty without any briefing.

Some of the interns of M.S. Ramaiah Medical College told The Hindu that they were asked to report at short notice and not given any instructions. Many of them who are already working in fever clinics said they were not given adequate precautionary measures.

List of demands

After completing their duty on Friday, they gathered at the medical college, staged a protest and said they had a long list of demands but they first wanted the management to come out with a protocol on how they would be tested if they fall sick. They want the management to spell out the approach of how they would be quarantined, if they would be provided attendance and stipend.

The Hindu had reported on Friday that many interns across different private colleges in Karnataka had alleged that they have been asked to make their own arrangements for accommodation, pay for their treatment if tested positive for COVID-19, and also pay for their COVID-19 tests if they have to be tested more than once.

‘No assurance’

Following talks with the college management, the students said they did not get an assurance. The management authorities were unavailable for comment.