06/06/2026
A Call for Pay Raise for Doctors
Whenever the issue of doctors' salaries is raised, we are told that there is a financial crunch and that there are no funds available. However, this raises an important question: if hospitals can afford to pay HR officials and administrative staff salaries running into several lakhs per month, where do those funds come from? If resources exist for administrative expansion and non-clinical positions, why are there no funds available for doctors—the very professionals who keep the healthcare system running? Resident doctors, who form the backbone of patient care and often work exhausting hours, continue to receive salaries that are disproportionately low compared to their responsibilities and sacrifices.
It was announced in 2017 that doctors' salaries would be increased by 10% annually. Unfortunately, after nearly a decade, the cumulative increase granted in 2026 is only 15%. This falls far short of the commitment that was made and does not reflect the economic realities faced by healthcare professionals today.
The situation has become even more concerning with the abolition of commission-based jobs for doctors. At the same time, salaries and benefits for politicians and many other government employees continue to increase—often by 100% to 200% or more. Why are doctors consistently excluded from such considerations?
Most government employees enjoy pensions, allowances, and numerous service benefits. Why are similar benefits not extended to doctors? Are doctors any less competent? Are they any less valuable? Doctors are among the most educated and hardworking professionals in the country. They are the cream of the nation, yet they are often treated as though their sacrifices and contributions hold little value.
The challenges extend far beyond salary. Doctors face increasing workplace insecurity, violence, harassment, and administrative interference. It is unacceptable that highly trained medical professionals are routinely subjected to disrespect and undue pressure from officers who have little understanding of healthcare delivery. Why should a doctor, after years of rigorous education and training, be answerable to administrative officials who neither share the same responsibilities nor bear the consequences of clinical decisions?
Despite inadequate salaries and limited service benefits, doctors continue to bear a substantial tax burden. Meanwhile, burnout, depression, and even su***de rates among healthcare professionals are rising. Yet few are asking why. Every year, doctors are assaulted, threatened, harassed, and even lose their lives while serving the public. Still, meaningful measures to ensure their safety and security remain absent.
Before dismissing doctors' demands, compare the value of salaries at the time of the last major increase with the current exchange rate, inflation levels, and cost of living. The purchasing power of doctors has eroded dramatically, while their workload and responsibilities have only increased.
This is not merely a demand for a pay raise. It is a demand for dignity, fairness, security, and recognition.
Let us stand for the doctors' community.
Let us stand for a fair pay raise.
Let us unite.
United We Stand.
