Manipur’s JNIMS Resident Doctors to Boycott Emergency Services from May 26
News Summary
Resident doctors at the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) in Manipur have announced a boycott of emergency services starting 9 am on Monday, May 26, 2025. This decision follows their ongoing protest against a significant hike in postgraduate course fees—from ₹1 lakh to ₹3 lakhs—implemented for the October 2022 batch. Despite earlier boycotting routine services since May 21, the administration’s failure to revert the fee hike has led the Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) to escalate their protest. While the RDA assures commitment to urgent healthcare needs, the strike will persist until the original fee structure is reinstated.
Inside the JNIMS Resident Doctors’ Strike: A Deep Dive into Manipur’s Healthcare Crisis
Background: The Fee Hike That Sparked the Fire
In October 2022, JNIMS implemented a substantial increase in postgraduate course fees, tripling them from ₹1 lakh to ₹3 lakhs. This abrupt hike placed a significant financial burden on resident doctors, many of whom come from modest backgrounds. Despite multiple appeals and discussions, the administration remained unyielding, prompting the Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) to initiate a strike on May 21, 2025, by boycotting routine services. With no resolution in sight, the RDA escalated their protest to include emergency services starting May 26.
The Escalation: From Routine to Emergency Services
The transition from boycotting routine services to emergency services marks a significant escalation in the protest. Emergency departments are the backbone of any hospital, dealing with critical and life-threatening conditions. By withdrawing from these services, the resident doctors aim to underscore the gravity of their grievances. However, this move also raises concerns about patient care and the potential risks to those in urgent need of medical attention.
The Broader Healthcare Landscape in Manipur
Manipur’s healthcare system has been grappling with numerous challenges even before the current strike. The state has a doctor-to-population ratio significantly below the World Health Organization’s recommendation of 1:1000. With a population exceeding 3 million, Manipur has only about 1,300 to 1,400 doctors, falling short of the required 3,000.
Additionally, the state has witnessed multiple healthcare protests in recent years. In early 2023, the All Manipur Health Services Doctors’ Association (AMHSDA) boycotted outpatient departments across government hospitals, demanding time-bound promotions, extension of retirement age to 65, inclusion of non-practising allowance as per the 7th Pay Commission, and amendments to outdated service rules.
The Human Element: Voices from the Frontlines
The resident doctors’ decision to strike is not taken lightly. Many of them are acutely aware of the implications for patient care. However, they argue that the financial strain imposed by the fee hike is untenable. One resident doctor, speaking anonymously, shared, “We are here to serve, but we also need to survive. The fee hike is not justifiable, and our voices need to be heard.”
Patients, too, find themselves caught in the crossfire. With emergency services affected, those requiring immediate medical attention face uncertainty and potential delays in care.Medical Buyer
Legal Implications: The ESMA Factor
The Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) empowers the government to prohibit strikes in essential services, including healthcare. Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has indicated that the government might invoke ESMA against the striking doctors. While the act aims to ensure uninterrupted essential services, its invocation could further strain relations between the government and healthcare professionals.
A Pattern of Protests: Not an Isolated Incident
The current strike is part of a broader pattern of healthcare protests in India. In 2019, junior doctors across the country protested against violence in hospitals, leading to a nationwide strike. Similarly, in Jaipur, resident doctors boycotted work in critical areas, including ICUs and emergency departments, over various grievances.
These recurring protests highlight systemic issues within the Indian healthcare system, including inadequate infrastructure, insufficient staffing, and administrative apathy.
Potential Solutions: Bridging the Gap
Addressing the current crisis requires a multi-pronged approach:
- Dialogue and Negotiation: Open communication between the administration and resident doctors is crucial.
- Financial Support: Reevaluating the fee structure to make postgraduate education more accessible.
- Policy Reforms: Implementing long-term policies to address systemic issues in the healthcare sector.
- Public Awareness: Educating the public about the challenges faced by healthcare professionals to garner support and understanding.
Conclusion: A Call for Empathy and Action
The strike by JNIMS resident doctors underscores the pressing need for systemic reforms in Manipur’s healthcare sector. While the immediate issue revolves around fee hikes, it reflects deeper structural challenges. Addressing these concerns requires empathy, dialogue, and decisive action from all stakeholders to ensure that both healthcare professionals and patients are not left in the lurch.
FAQs
Q1: What prompted the JNIMS resident doctors to strike?
The strike was initiated in response to a significant hike in postgraduate course fees, which tripled from ₹1 lakh to ₹3 lakhs for the October 2022 batch.
Q2: How has the strike affected hospital services?
Initially, routine services were boycotted starting May 21, 2025. From May 26, emergency services are also being boycotted, leading to disruptions in critical patient care.
Q3: What is the government’s stance on the strike?
The government has indicated the possibility of invoking the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) to prohibit the strike and ensure the continuity of essential healthcare services.
Q4: Are there precedents for such strikes in India?
Yes, healthcare professionals across India have staged strikes in the past over various issues, including the 2019 nationwide protest against violence in hospitals.
Q5: What steps can be taken to resolve the current crisis?
Potential solutions include open dialogue between stakeholders, reevaluation of the fee structure, policy reforms to address systemic issues, and increased public awareness and support.
