The Punjab government has approved a pay package of Rs 5.2 billion by accepting the recommendations of cabinet committee after consultations with representatives of young doctors and paramedic associations to increase the salaries of doctors and paramedics.
Senior Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab, Zulfiqar Khosa, said this in a statement issued here on Monday. He said the government has allocated a huge amount for health sector and the health expenditure ill be increased from Rs 13 billion to Rs 38 billion during the next three years.
"Medical is a sacred profession and the doctors save the lives of ailing humanity, therefore, people expect from the doctors that after the announcement of big financial package, doctors will perform their duties devotedly shunning the protest activities," he hoped.
He said under the package, Rs 6,000 will be increased in the stipend of house officer and this stipend will be increased from Rs 18,000 to Rs 24,000. An increase of Rs 22,500 has been approved in the stipend of post graduate students and their stipend will be increased from Rs 22,000 to Rs 42,000.
An increase of Rs 15,000 will be made in the salaries of medical officers and dental surgeons of grade 17 and Rs 3370 per month will be given to them as pay protection. An approval to the increase of Rs 10,000 has been given in the salaries of doctors serving in grade 18, 19 and 20. Rs 376 million will be incurred on the promotion of paramedic staff under four-tier formula. In addition, Rs 239 million will be incurred on pay protection of nurses.