Foreign Medical Graduate (FMG) interns undergoing Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences and Churachandpur Medical College (CMC) continued their sit-in protest for the second consecutive day outside the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) at Lamphel today, demanding the release of their pending stipends.
The interns alleged that despite repeatedly submitting representations to the State Government since November 2025, their grievances remain unresolved. They said the non-payment of stipends has placed many of them under financial hardship while they continue to discharge full-time clinical responsibilities as part of their mandatory internship.
Addressing the media, FMG intern Thoudam Karles said the matter had been brought to the attention of the Health Department on several occasions. He added that both the Health Commissioner and Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh had earlier assured the interns that the issue would be resolved, but no payments have been made so far.
The protesting interns contended that Foreign Medical Graduates undergoing internship in government medical institutions are entitled to receive stipends in accordance with the prevailing guidelines of the National Medical Commission (NMC). They also referred to judicial directions issued by the Supreme Court concerning the payment of stipends to FMG interns and urged the State Government to ensure compliance with the applicable regulations.
The NMC has issued advisories and regulations requiring medical colleges and institutions to provide stipends to FMG interns on par with other medical interns wherever such stipends are payable. The issue has also been the subject of litigation before the Supreme Court, which has emphasised adherence to the regulatory framework governing medical internships.
The interns maintained that they are performing the same clinical duties and fulfilling the same internship requirements as other medical graduates and should therefore not be denied the financial support provided under the applicable norms.