FAIMA urges Jnk Health Minister to restore paid leave for female doctors
Srinagar: Strongly opposing the state government's decision to refuse to pay salaries to senior resident doctors during maternity and paternity leaves, the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has formally appealed to Health Minister Sakina Itoo to intervene and reverse the 'Leave With Pay' provision for female doctors across Jammu & Kashmir.
In a detailed representation submitted to the Health Minister, FAIMA Doctors Association National Executive, Dr Mohammad Momin Khan expressed “deep concern and disappointment” over the decision, calling it a direct setback for women working in the medical profession—especially those who are pregnant, postpartum, or juggling both clinical duties and household responsibilities.
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that doctors, especially new mothers at Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) in Jammu and Kashmir, criticised the state government's decision, something they consider a ‘fundamental right,’ not a privilege and demanded an immediate rollback of the order.
The medical fraternity is opposing an order issued by the Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department, which turns maternity and paternity leaves into unpaid leaves. They called the decision 'unethical, discriminatory, and a violation of basic rights.'
FAIMA emphasised that female doctors are “the backbone of the healthcare system,” handling emergencies, working long hours, and providing critical patient care while often sacrificing their own health and family well-being.
According to the statement, maternity-related paid leave is not a privilege but a basic right that ensures the safety, dignity, and well-being of both mother and child. The cancellation of the benefit, they said, has far-reaching consequences, including putting pregnant and postpartum doctors at physical and mental risk, discouraging women from continuing in an already demanding profession, creating an atmosphere of inequality in a field that urgently needs gender-sensitive policies and violating national and international norms for maternal protection at the workplace.
“We are not seeking special treatment—only fair treatment,” the association said, warning that withdrawing this essential support system will push more women out of active service and ultimately weaken healthcare delivery in the region.
Dr Mohammad Momin Khan urged the government to reconsider and reverse the decision in the interest of women’s health, workforce retention, and humane working standards, stressing that protecting female doctors is integral to the future of medical care in Jammu & Kashmir.
What has angered the medical fraternity further is the policy reversal within just over a year. In July 2024, the H&ME Department issued Order No. 451-JK(HME) allowing paid maternity and paternity leave for Senior Residents, with simple tenure extensions — in line with National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines.
Also read- JIPMER resident doctors to get salary during maternity leave extension
