Foreign Medical Graduates Protest at Koti Over Stipend Disparity, Several Detained
Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) staged a protest outside the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) office at Koti on Thursday, October 22, demanding stipends equal to those paid to Indian Medical Graduates (IMGs). Several protesters were detained by police and taken to Chikkadpally Police Station during the demonstration.
The protest marks an escalation in the ongoing dispute over stipend disparity between FMGs and IMGs. The doctors allege that despite repeated representations, the DME, the Health Department Secretary, and the Health Minister have failed to address their demands.
Background of the Strike
The current agitation has roots in a strike that began on September 23, when intern doctors stopped work at government general hospitals. Since then, they have held protests at multiple locations across Hyderabad, including Dharna Chowk, People’s Plaza, and the Telangana State Medical Council (TSMC) office. The doctors have maintained that their demands have been consistently ignored by the authorities.
The core issue revolves around the difference in stipend amounts paid to FMGs compared to IMGs during their internship period. FMGs argue that they perform the same duties and responsibilities as their Indian counterparts but receive significantly lower compensation.
Police Action and Allegations
During Thursday’s protest, police detained several demonstrators and shifted them to Chikkadpally Police Station. Disha Students’ Organisation, a student advocacy group, has alleged that police used excessive force against protesters who resisted detention and also against individuals who were recording videos of the police action. The organisation has called for an inquiry into the conduct of the police during the protest.
The detained doctors were later released, according to sources, but the incident has further strained relations between the protesting medical graduates and the authorities.
Datos clave
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Protest Location | Directorate of Medical Education (DME) office, Koti, Hyderabad |
| Date | October 22, 2026 |
| Key Demand | Equal stipend for Foreign Medical Graduates and Indian Medical Graduates |
| Detentions | Multiple protesters taken to Chikkadpally Police Station |
Why This Matters for Hyderabad
The stipend disparity issue affects a significant number of FMGs who have returned to India after completing their medical degrees abroad. Many of these graduates are from Hyderabad or have chosen to complete their internships in Telangana’s government hospitals. The ongoing protest and strike have disrupted services in government general hospitals, impacting patient care.
The response from the state government and the health department will be closely watched by the medical community. A resolution would not only address the immediate financial concerns of FMGs but also set a precedent for how the state handles similar disparities in other professional training programmes.
What Comes Next
The FMGs have indicated that they will continue their agitation until their demands are met. The DME office has not issued an official statement regarding the protest or the stipend parity issue. The Health Department has also remained silent on the matter, despite the doctors’ claims of having made multiple representations.
For now, the situation remains tense. The doctors have called for further action if their demands are not addressed in the coming days. Patients visiting government general hospitals may continue to face disruptions as the strike by intern doctors is still ongoing.
Source: The Siasat Daily – Hyderabad – https://www.siasat.com/hyderabad-foreign-medical-graduates-protest-for-stipend-parity-3562644/