In an effort to attract medical specialists to Himachal Pradesh, the state government has announced a significant increase in monthly stipends, ranging from 50 to 170 percent.
The stipend for senior residents and tutor specialists has been raised from Rs 60,000-65,000 to Rs 1 lakh, while super specialists will now receive Rs 1.30 lakh, up from Rs 60,000-65,000. Additionally, doctors on study leave will continue to receive their full pay, the state government announced.
Currently, Himachal Pradesh has a total of six medical colleges and one super-specialty hospital. However, out of the 751 sanctioned positions, only 375 are filled, leaving 376 specialist doctor positions vacant. This shortage has severely impacted the state’s healthcare services.
The government hopes that this stipend increase will make government positions more attractive to qualified medical professionals, helping to fill these vacancies and improve healthcare delivery at all levels.
According to health department data, approximately 9.5 lakh patients from Himachal Pradesh travel outside the state annually for treatment, resulting in a loss of Rs 1,350 crore to the state’s GDP. The government estimates that providing quality healthcare within the state could save Rs 550 crore annually and reduce the time spent by patients traveling for treatment.
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