FORDA demands Indian Medical Service cadre, special risk hazard allowance for resident doctors

FORDA India has been demanding to implement an Indian Medical Service (IMS) cadre and a special risk hazard allowance for resident doctors, read here to know more.

Amid the ongoing third wave of Covid-19, the upcoming medical budget is expected to be high as the repeated waves of the coronavirus have highlighted the need for a robust healthcare system across the country. The pandemic has unprecedently pushed the health care industry's growth as the industry needed to develop at a high speed to deal with the changed requirements. Both states and the Central government expedited their efforts to strengthen the medical care facilities under the Central scheme to provide a minimum of one medical college at the district level.

With the changing dynamics of the medical field, we just cannot afford to lag behind. Also, one thing the pandemic has taught to the whole world is to be more independent as countries, especially in the healthcare sector. When during lockdown periods all international borders were closed for travel, the countries were dependent only on their health care and other facilities and hence many countries had put more emphasis on being independent and developing their own facilities. 

The resident doctors' Association has two long pending demands from the Government of India, that is the implementation of the Indian Medical Service (IMS) cadre and a special risk hazard allowance to all resident doctors.

RDA Uttar Pradesh has also tweeted, "Requesting Hon’ble @narendramodi/@PMOIndia to implement the long-pending #IndianMedicalService (IMS) Cadre for improving the healthcare system in best interest of the nation."

The Association has written a letter to the Prime Minister of India. It reads, "The demand of a separate cadre for Health Service in India, in line with the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) etc., is a long-pending one. However, even after 6 decades & after multiple discussions over the years, this cadre is yet to see the light of the day while the demand has been raised on various occasions. We shall be extremely grateful if you kindly take note of our suggestion & take necessary measures for creation of the long-pending Indian Medical Service (IMS) Cadre in the best interest of the nation."

FORDA India's expectation from Union Budget 2022 

FORDA India spoke to shiksha.com regarding their expectations from union budget 2022:

Dr. Manish, President, FORDA India, has told Shiksha, "We had given one letter to the Hon'ble health minister regarding this that we want a special kind of allowance called the risk hazard allowance and its been pending since long. So, we want that to be implemented for all the doctors because they are risking their lives for two years as they are fighting with corona and moreover apart from corona there are other communicable diseases also, so they are risking their lives and are not getting any incentives for that."

FORDA India's letter reads, "It is pertinent to mention that as per OM No. Z.28015/119/2012-H dated 18/09/2019 issued by MoHFW (Hospital-II Section), Govt. of India, Hospital Patient Care Allowance (HPCA)/Patient Care Allowance (PCA) under R1H3 cell of Risk & Hardship Matrix of 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) is implemented for Allied healthcare professionals. While Risk Hazard Allowance is provided to employees/staff in several other sectors, Resident Doctors risking their lives during patient care in the health care sector should also be entitled to the same."

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