Telangana announces 15 percent hike in stipend of PG doctors

Hyderabad: Bringing good news to the government doctors in Telangana, the state government issued an order on Saturday resolving the long pending demand for a stipend hike by raising the stipend of those pursuing MBBS/MDs, PG degree, PG diploma, MDS and other super speciality courses by 15 per cent. 

The Secretary of Health Medical and Family Welfare Department issued the order on Saturday, 27th May and Health Minister T Harish Rao also announced the decision on his Twitter account.  

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The order reads, "Government after careful examination of the matter, hereby enhance stipend at 15% with effect from January 1, 2023, to the medical students pursuing MBBS/BDS (house surgeons), PG Degree, PG Diploma, MDS and super specialty course and honorarium to senior residents." 

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported about the junior doctor's dissatisfaction with the government's inaction towards the unresolved issue of stipend hike. In May, the doctors under Telangana Junior Doctors Association (TJUDA) threatened to go on strike by boycotting medical services.  

They had mentioned how the 15% stipend hike is due since January 2023, and their demand was in accordance with a government order which mandated a revision in the stipend amount every two years. The government had assured them of resolving the issue within a few days, and the doctors had warned of going on strike if the same was not done by the government. 

However, they called off their protests on May 3 after receiving assurances from Health Minister Harish Rao. 

In his tweet, as reported in Hans India, the minister stated, "Good news to medical students! Under the directions of CM KCR Garu, Telangana government issued orders enhance stipend at 15 per cent with effect from January 1, 2023, to MBBS/BDS (House Surgeons), PG Degree, PG Diploma, MDS, and Super specialty courses and honorarium to senior residents." 

With the current order, the stipend of house surgeons will increase from Rs 22,527 to Rs 25,906, those of PG students will increase from Rs 58,000 to Rs 64,000, and super-specialty doctors would receive an amount between Rs 92,000 and Rs 1 lakh depending on their year of study, reports the New Indian Express. 

Members of the Telangana Junior Doctors Association (T-JUDA) thanked Health Minister Harish Rao for increasing the stipend amount. Stating that the hike would reduce the financial burden on junior doctors and their families, the association, in their press release issued on 27th May, said, "We hope it will motivate more young doctors to pursue a career in medicine. We trust that this raise in stipend will improve the morale of junior doctors and enhance the quality of care provided by them across the State." 

The association thanked the health minister and the government for their cooperation and support. The association stated, "Their commitment to the welfare of junior doctors and the healthcare system in Telangana has been unwavering, and we are grateful for their efforts. We also appreciate their consideration of our representation and immediate action, which has led to a successful implementation and processing of the file in a short span of time." 

Expressing their gratitude to the Director of Medical Education (DME), Dr K Ramesh Reddy for their constant support, the association noted, "His guidance and assistance have been instrumental in achieving this stipend hike. We deeply appreciate his commitment to the welfare of junior doctors." They also thanked the members of the association and their supporters for standing with them. 

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