Karnataka Govt approves 55 per cent pay hike for NHM doctors, nurses

As per an ETV Bharat news report, the revised salaries have been approved under the NHM Supplementary Record of Proceedings (RoP) 2024–26.

Addressing the press on Wednesday, State Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao told DH, "The proposal to hike salaries has been approved under the centrally-sponsored scheme. We hope that this will help them fill over a thousand posts that have been lying vacant due to comparatively unattractive salaries."

According to government data, hundreds of sanctioned posts at hospitals in the state remain unfilled. Out of 1,398 approved posts for MBBS doctors under NHM for 2024–25, only 819 have been filled. Among specialists, 305 out of 899 posts are vacant. For staff nurses, 936 of the 9,041 posts are still vacant and yet to be filled. 

For specialist doctors like gynaecologists, paediatricians, anesthesiologists, physicians, orthopedicians, surgeons, and ophthalmologists, the starting salary is fixed at Rs 1.4 lakh. They will also get a 2.5% increment for every year of relevant experience.

Rao told TOI, "The revision comes amid concerns that lower pay often discourages qualified medical professionals from applying for [govt] jobs. We believe this led to limited interest from qualified candidates, resulting in long-standing vacancies across health facilities."

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