NEW DELHI – The government of Himachal Pradesh, a northern Indian state, on Tuesday announced an incentive for MBBS students, contractual doctors and junior/senior residents working at Covid hospitals.
The incentive is usually appreciated but this time it has not been well received as the government said it will give only ₹ 3,000 per month, means 100 rupees per day, to the students performing duties in tough times, risking their own lives.
Furthermore, nursing students, General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) third year students and contractual lab staff would be provided an incentive of ₹ 1,500 per month, NDTV reported..
The announcement about the incentives was made by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur during a video meeting with officials of Kangra, held to discuss the COVID-19 situation in the country.
Since the news surfaced, MBBS is trend on Twitter not only in India but also in Pakistan with users slamming the government from fixing incentive that is not even equal to the per day wage of unskilled manual workers.
https://twitter.com/i_the_indian_/status/1389591932821594112
Sir @jairamthakurbjp
Your govt is employing MBBS and nursing students for full time COVID duties for ₹3000 and ₹1500/month respectively.
It's less than what HP govt pays to the govt peons (with due respect to them).
This isn't how you should treat the young COVID warriors.
— THE SKIN DOCTOR (@theskindoctor13) May 4, 2021
What final year MBBS students deputed to COVID care in Himachal Pradesh are receiving for risking it all on the frontlines….
What about survival? @CMOFFICEHP pic.twitter.com/LuEWEqFDUG
— Dr. Simal Soin (@DrSimalSoin) May 4, 2021
If doctors get paid less than minimum wage, what will be their motivation to go to work everyday where they are putting not only their lives, but also the lives of their family at risk ? 😓#covid @drharshvardhan #mbbs #MedTwitter #doctors #pandemic #COVID19 #CovidIndia pic.twitter.com/DmYomCVOa1
— Dr Abbas Ali | Ortho Surgeon (@boneteacher) May 4, 2021
Read more: https://pakobserver.net/india-surpasses-20-million-covid-19-cases/