IMA Kerala Demands Holiday Allowance for Medical Staff
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) Kerala State Branch has urged the government to approve a holiday-duty allowance for doctors and healthcare workers. Furthermore, medical personnel across hospitals provide non-stop care 365 days a year. Consequently, healthcare facilities operate without interruption during major public holidays like Onam, Vishu, and Christmas. This urgent demand emerged after the Kerala government sanctioned a similar holiday allowance for police personnel.
Demand for a Holiday-Duty Allowance Across Cadres
IMA state president Dr M N Menon highlighted that hospital services never halt during festivals. Therefore, critical departments require full staffing around the clock. These essential units include intensive care units, emergency wings, casualty departments, operation theatres, labour rooms, and ambulance fleets.
Moreover, healthcare professionals sacrifice valuable family time to serve patients on gazetted holidays. Dr Menon noted that doctors, nurses, pharmacists, technicians, and paramedics remain on active duty. Thus, the association views this compensation not merely as financial aid, but as vital governmental recognition.
Parity with Other Essential Service Providers
In addition, the medical body argued that doctors protect public health just as police protect public safety. Because both sectors deliver essential public services, both deserve equal governmental appreciation. As a result, the IMA insists that medical staff should receive the same benefits recently granted to the police department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Why is IMA Kerala demanding a holiday-duty allowance?
IMA Kerala seeks this allowance because healthcare staff work round-the-clock during public holidays, ensuring uninterrupted emergency and critical care for patients.
Q2: Who would benefit from the proposed holiday allowance?
The proposed allowance would benefit doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, lab technicians, pharmacists, and ambulance personnel on holiday shifts.
Q3: What prompted the IMA to raise this demand recently?
The demand arose after the state government sanctioned a special holiday allowance for police personnel on duty during public festivals.
References
- IMA wants govt to issue holiday-allowance to docs and healthcare workers - ETHealthworld
- IMA seeks holiday-duty allowance for doctors, hospital staff - PTI
- IMA Kerala Seeks Holiday-Duty Allowance for Doctors and Healthcare Staff - Docplexus
