In view of the demands of the agitating intern doctors, the government has decided to fix their monthly allowance equal to the basic salary of ninth grade ie 22 thousand rupees. At present they get an allowance of 20,000 taka. They then decided to call off the strike.
This decision was taken at the meeting of representatives of intern doctors with the officials of the Ministry of Health at the Directorate of Health on Monday (June 8). Later, in a joint press briefing, the secretary of the health care department told the matter. Kamruzzaman Chowdhury.
Secretary Md. Kamruzzaman Chowdhury said that the allowance of intern doctors has been fixed at Tk 22,000. At the same time, it has been decided to provide facilities equivalent to 9th grade without any increment to FCPS trainee doctors.
The health secretary said that in line with the implementation of the new pay scale, the current allowance of interns and postgraduate doctors will also be increased proportionately. Apart from this, it has been decided to give monthly allowance to the private trainees who have passed the FCPS Part-I and MD/MS (Phase-I) examinations. He also said that the allowance will be paid regularly every month.
The secretary said that the government will discuss with the stakeholders and take necessary initiatives regarding the formulation of the health protection law. Besides, it will be recommended to the concerned authorities to consider increasing the age limit for entry into service in BCS health cadre.
Apart from this, steps will be taken to determine the examination fees of Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons (BCPS) and Bangladesh Medical University at a reasonable level. Initiatives will also be taken to create a respectable salary structure for doctors working in private hospitals, clinics and medical colleges.
General Secretary of Intern Doctors Society (IDS) of Dhaka Medical College Hospital Dr. Nabeel bin Kashem announces suspension of strike and returns to service.
Earlier, intern doctors across the country started an indefinite strike from Sunday (June 7) on six-point demands. In solidarity with them, students of various medical colleges are also boycotting classes. Postgraduate trainee doctors also joined the strike on Monday (June 8).
Among the demands of the doctors were fixing the allowance of interns at least Rs 30,000 as per the new pay scale, inclusion of trainee doctors in ninth grade, health protection law, age limit for entry into BCS health cadre to 34 years and clear salary structure for doctors working in private institutions.
