Special Assistant to Chief Minister Punjab on Health Salman Rafique has said that a grade 17 government officers was getting Rs 30,000 whereas a medical officer was getting Rs 60,000 in salary per month and the government would not compromise free treatment for patients by agreeing to the demands of the striking doctors. Rafique further said salary budget of doctors had been enhanced manifold in four years and it reached Rs 24 billion, adding that government had inducted 7,500 doctors in the system while 2,000 nurses had also been provided employment besides special pay package of Rs 5.25 billion for doctors had also been announced by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif last year. Rafique said during the last six months 1650 doctors had been promoted in next grades. He said government had established four new medical colleges to promote medical education in the province as well as seats and stipend for Postgradaute Trainee doctors had also been enhanced.
Rafique said in a country which was facing loadshedding, poverty and economic crisis it was not possible that doctors could be paid the salaries at par with Saudi Arabia or US. He said not only doctors but all government servants and common men are facing price-hike and the doctors should realize ground realities while discharging their duties efficiently and honestly like other government employees.
Most of these doctors try for a job in the US but are unable to pass USMLE exams that are necessary for working in the US.
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