ISLAMABAD - The difference of basic pay between Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and Polyclinic doctors has resulted in delay in release of Covid-19 risk allowance, The Nation learnt on Monday.
The finance department, in its letter has sought clarification from the ministry of National Health Services (NHS) on differences of claim submitted by both major public sector hospitals of the city.
According to the letter available with The Nation, the PIMS has mentioned 5.5 folds of the basic pay for the Covid-19 risk allowance, while Polyclinic hospital has given 5.5 folds to the gross salary of the doctors and claimed the risk allowances.
The finance department has asked the ministry to clarify all points so it can take early action for the disbursement of the risk allowance.
The letter about grant of risk allowance to healthcare workers, performing Covid-19 related duties in the government hospitals and entities said
that as Post Graduate Trainee Doctors, House Officers are drawing fixed/lump sum amount @Rs104,390/- and Rs69,600/- respectively as monthly stipend whereas the said allowance is granted on monthly ‘Basic Pay’. Whether the risk allowance for trainee doctors/nurses is granted on the basis of basic pay or full amount of stipend?
The letter further said that risk allowance has been granted to those trainee doctors who were appointed during January 2021 to May 2021, whether the said allowance is admissible to the trainee doctors/nurses whose length of service is less than one year.
Spokesperson for ministry of NHS Sajid Shah said that the ministry rapidly worked for the issuance of Covid-19 risk allowance to the healthcare workers (HCWs), fighting in hospitals against the virus and indeed it will address all emerging issues in this regard as well.
Healthcare workers at PIMS, Polyclinic and other hospitals had staged a protest in the city demanding for the Covid-19 risk allowance for all staff working in hospitals.
HCWs and the ministry had remained at loggerheads over the lists prepared for the disbursement of the risk allowance while the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) Dr Faisal Sultan had vowed release of the Covid-19 risk allowance in the month of October.