Nearly 900 COVID-Duty Kerala Doctors Quit Post Pay Cut. Here's What It Means For Our Healthcare

Around 870 doctors in Covid first-line treatment centres all over the state of Kerala have resigned due to a pay cut, according to a TOI report.

They were all among the 1080 MBBS graduates from government medical colleges in 2020 and were on Covid duty temporarily. They were promised 42,000 per month, but got only Rs 27,000.

PTI (Representational)

¡°From the amount, Rs 8,400 was deducted in the name of the government¡¯s salary challenge, apart from TDS and professional tax. Now, we are getting only Rs 27,000,¡± said Dr Ousam Hussain KP.

He is the state president of Kerala junior doctors association 2020-21.

PTI (Representational)

The association has written to the chief minister and health minister for assistance.

This affects our healthcare system badly. At a time when the country is trying to fight off the pandemic, we need every doctor possible and with so many resigning, it is a big blow to the effort. One could blame them for not doing their duty, but doctors are human too, and need money to survive.

PTI (Representational)

They too have families and one understands their frustration. One hopes a compromise is reached and a middle ground can be worked on,