Hyderabad: Even if health systems in Telangana under the second wave of COVID-19 infections, doctors in junior residents at various state hospitals in the state threatened to strike and demanded, among other things, a 15% increase in their salaries.
The Telangana Junior Doctors Association (TJUDA) served a notice on this to the State Department of Medical and Health on Monday. The association gave the government two weeks to comply with their demands.
If this was not fulfilled, the junior doctors would start their duties, including medical emergencies, boycott and from 25 May onwards.
TJUDA’s claims
Of the four demands is the approval of a 15 per cent salary increase for doctors, junior residents and interns pending in January 2020.
According to TJUDA President Naveen Reddy, doctors pay junior residents a monthly salary of Rs 44,000 in the first year, Rs 46,000 in the second year and Rs 48,000 in the third year of their service in various education hospitals in Telangana.
‘According to the contract, we have to get a 15 percent increase in salary every year. The last time we got the salary increase was in 2019 and it would be reviewed in January 2020. Last year, the government agreed to the pay review and the file was approved at all levels. It is now awaiting the approval of Prime Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao for the past five months, “said Reddy, quoted by Hindustan Times.
The TJUDA also demanded that a 10 percent incentive be paid immediately by the prime minister to all the health workers COVID-19 pandemic last year.
Another claim made by the TJUDA was to give preference to affected healthcare workers and their relatives in treatment. COVID-19, despite their selfless service to the patients during the crisis period.
The association also demanded that insurance be offered to medical students up to and including the postgraduate study, in accordance with an earlier order.
Naveen Reddy acknowledged that it was not appropriate to strike at this hour of crisis. ‘But there is no option for us, because the government has deafened our problems despite repeated memories. Either way, we did not use any lightning strike, but gave a two-week notice to the government. If it has people concerned, it could resolve our demands in the next two weeks, ”Reddy added.
Source: The Siasat Daily