Foreign resident docs to get wages on a par with Indians

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 10

In a first, the PGIMER approved salary for foreign resident doctors — pursuing MS/MD /DM/ MCh — on a par with Indian resident doctors.

So far, the foreign nationals were not being paid for the work they do, while their Indian counterparts were earning between Rs 70,000 and Rs 1 lakh per month.

There are around 668 seats for junior residents (MD/MS), of which 10 per cent (66) are reserved for foreign nationals at the PGIMER. Currently, 62 seats are filled, out of which 60 residents are from Nepal, one from Bangladesh and Bhutan each.

Dr Jagat Ram, PGIMER Director, today gave an approval for the implementation of the order which was already approved by the Standing Finance Committee in June 2018 and further ratified by the governing body in November 2018. The doctors will be paid salaries with effect from November 16, 2018.

“We have decided to pay foreign nationals working here on a par with Indian counterparts,” said Dr Jagat Ram.

Dr Sagar Poudel, representative of the Nepalese Resident Doctors in India, who works at AIIMS, Delhi, said they had given representations to the authorities in Nepal to take up the matter with India through diplomatic channels. “We are hopeful that AIIMS, Delhi, and JIPMER, where around 80 resident doctors are working, will also fulfil our demand,” said Poudel, adding that they worked even when other resident doctors go on a strike.

Hailing the decision of the Director, Dr Bipin Kumar Yadav, a Nepalese citizen and executive member of the Association of Resident Doctors, said: “Doctors take loans to work and live here. We are happy with the decision. At least, now we won’t ask for money from our parents. We are professionals who work more than 12 hours a day and we will get paid for our hard work.”