The Indian Medical Association (IMA), Kerala State Branch, has called on the Kerala government to promptly review the salary structure for junior doctors. The IMA expressed concern over the current remuneration offered to young medical professionals, labeling it as insufficient and warning that it could lead to a further exodus of doctors from the state.
The demand for a salary revision comes after the Government Medical College, Thrissur, advertised a monthly pay of Rs 42,000 for MBBS-qualified doctors applying for the position of Casualty Medical Officer (CMO). The IMA is advocating for a minimum monthly salary of Rs 80,000 for junior doctors, emphasizing that the existing pay scale does not align with the demanding responsibilities that doctors undertake.
Highlighting the extensive training and education that young medical professionals undergo, the IMA stressed that despite the critical nature of their roles in emergency departments, junior doctors are compensated significantly lower than government employees with lesser qualifications. The association cited the case of a Security Officer position at a Kerala university, which offers a starting salary ranging from Rs 55,200 to Rs 1.15 lakh per month with only a B.Sc. qualification.
Junior doctors, described as the backbone of government hospitals, handle a substantial portion of patient care across various departments, often working extended hours under immense physical and emotional stress. The IMA cautioned that Kerala is witnessing a gradual outflow of talented doctors to other regions and countries due to better pay and working conditions, emphasizing the importance of competitive salaries to retain skilled medical professionals and uphold the quality of public healthcare.
Urging an immediate reassessment of the salaries for Casualty Medical Officers and other junior doctors, IMA Kerala State President M.N. Menon and State Secretary Roy R. Chandran emphasized that fair remuneration is not just a matter of professional respect but crucial for safeguarding Kerala’s healthcare system and preserving its top medical talent.
