JEDDAH, 26 June 2006 — The problem of King Abdul Aziz University (KAAU) medical interns and their salary reductions was highlighted on Saturday night when they were interviewed on ART Al-Ein Channel. The program, titled Hiwar Min Al-Dakhil, or Dialogue From Within, included the former dean of the medical college, Dr. Hasan Jamal, and Dr. Mohammed Bakhutmah, a teacher at KAAU. Both supported the interns. Dr. Osamah Taib, the dean of the medical college, did not respond to invitations and was not present.
Twelve interns of both sexes were on the show. Some were hesitant about naming KAAU officials but as Dr. Bakhutmah explained, “They have job opportunities to consider.”
The problem originated last September when the Ministry of Higher Education decided to reduce the interns’ allowances by 44 percent. The reduction was to be implemented in September 2006 but for unexplained reasons, KAAU implemented it earlier. This meant that KAAU interns were receiving lower salaries than interns at other medical schools.
A fine distinction was made at the beginning of the show when the difference between a student and a doctor was pointed out. Both doctors agreed, “These are doctors in training — not students.” In other words, they are employees and their salaries should, according to Ministry of Labor rules, increase rather than decrease.
Two points were made. First, the SR10,700 monthly salary the interns are supposed to get is small in comparison to what graduates in other specialties receive after four years of study. Second, Saudi Arabia has a large number of intelligent and capable young people and the country must invest in them, regardless of the cost. Both Dr. Jamal and Dr. Bakhutma felt that the salary reduction would lead to a drop in the number of medical students in the Kingdom. The students want to help their country, the two doctors said, and what is being discussed is an administrative decision which can be changed. It is not an irreversible royal decree.
The interns explained how the KAAU’s decision had affected them and their morale. One of them said that in addition to having colleagues who work the same hours but get more pay, “We do not feel that we have any support; it is as if we don’t belong here.”
Interns from the Kingdom’s other universities called in with messages of support. They said the decision to cut their allowances was revoked as soon as they contacted the ministry. On the other hand, when KAAU interns contacted the ministry, they got no response.
Dr. Jamal said the educational committee at the Shoura Council was considering the issue and might recommend keeping the interns’ salaries as they were.
