Monthly stipend of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) postgraduate (PG) doctors have been increased significantly. 

 Following approval from Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, a notification has been issued regarding the increase in stipends for postgraduate doctors.

According to the notification, the stipend has been increased by Rs29,390, taking the monthly stipend for KMC postgraduate doctors from Rs75,000 to Rs104,390.

The stipends for FCPS and MCPS trainees have also been increased.

However, the same relief has not been extended to house officers. Their proposed monthly stipend increase from Rs45,000 to Rs69,000 has been put on hold. According to the mayor’s direction, a report on house officers’ services and performance in treating patients will first be prepared. Their case for a stipend increase will then be reconsidered at a subsequent meeting. 

“Inhuman” duty schedules

Meanwhile the Islamabad High Court has called 102-hour weekly duty schedules for doctors “inhuman”.

Justice Raja Inaam Ameen Minhas made the observation while hearing a petition concerning excessive working hours faced by doctors, particularly those in postgraduate training.

The court has directed the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council to review doctors’ duty hours and submit recommendations to the federal and provincial governments.

CPSP told the court it does not itself set doctors’ working hours, saying those are determined by provincial governments, hospitals and private institutions.

Its submission also referred to international limits, including around 48 hours a week in Europe and 80 hours in the United States.

The court did not impose a new nationwide cap at this stage, but the issue will now be formally examined by PMDC.

Punjab govt approves new curriculum for schools