Telangana Sr doctors call for strike from 26th May; demand hike, ex-gratia

Hyderabad: The Telangana Senior Resident Doctors Association (TSRDA) gave notice to the hospitals in the state of their decision to boycott duties from 26 May if their demands are not met.

They demanded the clearance of 15 per cent hike in senior residents' honorarium. "A 15 per cent hike in senior residents' honorarium is pending finance approval. We have repeatedly requested its approval with the officials for the last six months but there has been no response till date," said the TSRDA.

They were also demanding an official circular approving treatment of COVID-19-infected health care workers and their family members at the NIMS. "Infected HCWs and their families are not able to find a bed anywhere. NIMS is always occupied with limited beds and we urge them to increase bed capacity and issue an official circular for free treatment to HCWs and their immediate family members," said the TSRDA.

The association also asked for an of ex-gratia of Rs 50 lakhs for doctors, and 25 lakhs for nurses and the supporting staff as announced by the CM, and a 10 per cent incentive as announced by the government of Telangana for all HCWs but not implemented till date. The TSRDA said that it will boycott the services if their basic demands are not considered in view of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, to avoid the threat of a strike, the Telangana government on 18 May enhanced the stipend for doctors by 15 per cent in a bid to boost their morale. All house surgeons, PG degree and diploma holders, and MBBS students, who are discharging their duties in teaching hospitals, will be covered under this package. Accordingly, the stipend of house surgeons from medical and dental streams has been enhanced from Rs 19,589 to Rs 22,527.

For first-year PG students, the stipend has been revised from Rs 44,075 to Rs 50,686, while for the second-year students, it has been enhanced from Rs 46,524 to Rs 53,503. The monthly stipend for final year PG students has been increased from Rs 48,973 to Rs 56,319. The stipend for medicos pursuing first year PG diploma has been enhanced from Rs 44,075 to Rs 50,686, while for second-year PG diploma students, the stipend has been enhanced from Rs 46,524 to Rs 53,503.