Himachal Pradesh Increases Stipend for Postgraduate Resident Doctors

Announcement by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu

Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has announced a significant increase in the monthly stipend for postgraduate resident doctors. Starting from the next budget, residents will receive stipends of Rs 50,000, Rs 60,000, and Rs 65,000 for their first, second, and third years, respectively. Additionally, the stipend for senior residents has been elevated to Rs 1 lakh, while those in super-specialty departments will now earn Rs 1.3 lakh.

Improvements in Working Conditions

In a recent address during the annual function at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) in Shimla, the Chief Minister emphasized the enhancement of working conditions for resident doctors. Duty hours, which previously extended to 36-hour shifts, have now been limited to a maximum of 12 hours.

Incentive Policy and Infrastructure Development

According to a report from PTI, Chief Minister Sukhu also introduced an “incentive policy” for doctors and announced an allocation of Rs 5 crore to five medical colleges for the development of infrastructure related to bone marrow transplants. The institutions benefiting from this funding include IGMC, AIMSS Chamiyana, Tanda Medical College, Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College and Hospital in Mandi, and Dr Radhakrishnan Government Medical College in Hamirpur.

Additional Funding for Medical Facilities

Furthermore, the Chief Minister allocated Rs 5 crore for laparoscopic facilities and Rs 6 crore for the Department of Anaesthesia at IGMC. He urged authorities to expedite the land transfer necessary for constructing a new student hostel at IGMC and instructed the principal of IGMC to expedite the relocation of the Gynaecology wing from Kamla Nehru Hospital (KNH) to IGMC.

Future Initiatives

These announcements reflect the government’s commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure and working conditions for medical professionals in Himachal Pradesh. The Chief Minister’s focus on enhancing medical education and services aims to benefit both doctors and patients in the region.