Bhubaneshwar: In a significant move aimed at recognizing and valuing the pivotal role played by medical students in healthcare services, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, on Wednesday, gave the nod to a proposal for augmenting the monthly stipends of nursing, pharmacy, and allied medical students engaged in clinical services at government health institutions.
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The state government disburses stipends to students pursuing nursing, pharmacy, and allied medical courses during the period of their education, during which they actively provide clinical services at healthcare institutions. Recently, CM Patnaik has considered increasing the amount of the stipend. This decision comes on the heels of earnest requests from the student community and a thorough consideration of the crucial contributions they make to the healthcare system.
Following the latest hike in the stipend structure, D Pharma students will now receive a monthly stipend of Rs 500, marking a notable increase from the previous amount of Rs 250. Auxiliary nurse and midwife (ANM) students will witness a substantial rise, with their stipend raised to Rs 2000 per month from the previous Rs 1000. Similarly, BSc (Nursing) students will now receive Rs 5000 monthly, compared to the earlier Rs 2500 during their internship.
Furthermore, students pursuing MPhil in clinical psychology and MPhil in psychiatric social work will experience a significant boost in their monthly stipends, now set at Rs 10,000 each. This marks a commendable increase from the previous amounts of Rs 7000 for both M.Phil in clinical psychology and M.Phil in psychiatric social work.
The Health and Family Welfare Department of the Odisha government currently oversees various degree and diploma courses, including BSc (Nursing), ANM courses, diploma in pharmacy, and MPhil programs in government institutions. CMO Odisha's official page has shared the happy news on a popular social media platform and stated, "Our CM has enhanced the monthly stipend of Nursing, Pharmacy, and Allied Medical Students after taking into account the importance of services being rendered by them. CM expected that this enhancement will encourage students to extend better services to the people. CM hoped that it will further strengthen health services in Odisha"