Himachal hikes salary of medical officers

Shimla, Aug 5 (IANS) In a significant decision aimed at strengthening healthcare services, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday approved an increase of 78 per cent in the salary of contract and Job Trainee Medical Officers (Specialists).

With this decision, the monthly salary has been increased to Rs 60,000 from Rs 33,660.

Earlier in 2022 after the implementation of the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission, the salary of Job Trainee Medical Officers (Specialists) was raised from Rs 27,000 to Rs 33,660 with an increase of around 24 per cent.

Now, the state government has approved a 78 per cent salary hike, providing a substantial boost to these specialists.

This decision is expected to encourage specialist doctors to serve in government healthcare institutions and help ensure the availability of quality healthcare services in remote areas of the state, a government statement said.

The state government has been taking steps to strengthen the healthcare sector to enable that people can access better treatment and modern medical facilities close to their homes, reducing the need to travel outside the state for healthcare.

In line with this vision, the state government had earlier increased the monthly stipend of postgraduate (PG) medical students studying in government medical colleges.

The stipend for first-year PG students was increased from Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000, for second-year PG students from Rs 45,000 to Rs 60,000 and for third-year PG students from Rs 50,000 to Rs 65,000.

The medical students pursuing post-graduation play a crucial role in patient care alongside their academic training.

Recognising their responsibilities, the state government enhanced their stipends to motivate them to provide better healthcare services.

Similarly, keeping in view the important role of Senior Residents and other specialist doctors in the medical colleges, the state government also increased their monthly stipends from 50 per cent to 170 per cent.

The monthly stipend of Senior Residents and Tutor Specialists has been increased from Rs 60,000-Rs 65,000 to Rs 100,000. And the monthly stipend of Super Specialists and Senior Residents (Super Specialists) has been increased from Rs 60,000-Rs 65,000 to Rs 130,000.

–IANS

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