Latest news with #ChristinaZ.Chongthu
The Hindu
19 hours ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Contract doctors in Telangana raise alarm over delay in extensions, salary arrears
Hundreds of doctors working as assistant professors, associate professors, professors, and senior residents (SRs) on contract basis in government medical colleges across Telangana have been left without salaries for nearly three months, even as they continue to provide academic and clinical care across the State. The doctors reached out to Health Secretary Christina Z. Chongthu recently appealing for the urgent release of a Government Order (G.O.) to extend their contracts by another year (from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026). The representation cited that their earlier recruitment was under G.O. Ms. No. 98, dated March 11, 2024, and underscored that without a fresh extension order, even salary disbursement has been stalled. 'Despite our contract lapsing on March 31, we have been fulfilling our duties since April 1 without pay. This month marks the third month without salaries. Our employment status is hanging in limbo,' said one of the contract doctors, speaking on condition of anonymity. The issue affects not only approximately 500 contract professors and assistant professors across Telangana but also around 1,100 senior residents who recently joined after completing their post-graduation. Their salaries too are linked to the same pending approval, making the financial uncertainty widespread. Frustrated by the administrative delay, the doctors say the responsibility to follow up on these files is being pushed around. 'The Director of Medical Education (DME) says they have sent the file to the Health Secretary, but no one is giving us clear answers,' added another doctor. The doctor further added that the file should have been sent by January to ensure the budget was allocated in time but it was sent after March, which means unless a revised G.O. is issued soon, we cannot be paid for April, May, or June,' the doctor added. The doctors warn that if no action is taken, many may quit government service due to uncertainty and lack of payment. 'There is a real danger of the system collapsing. These doctors are the backbone of healthcare and medical education in government hospitals across Telangana. If they walk away, there will be no one left to teach or treat,' another doctor warned. Beyond contract extensions, the doctors also highlighted the lack of regular calendar year recruitment by the Health Department.
The Hindu
16-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Telangana is a medical tourism hub drawing over one lakh visitors annually: Health Secretary
Telangana is rapidly gaining recognition as a prime destination for medical tourism, attracting over one lakh visitors annually from regions including the Middle East, Africa, SAARC and CIS countries. The State's appeal is now expanding further to Southeast Asia and Europe, said Telangana Health Secretary Christina Z. Chongthu while addressing contestants of Miss World 2025 during their visit to AIG Hospital on Friday. Highlighting the importance of women's health, Ms. Chongthu described it as 'foundational' to the well-being of families and societies. She detailed the State's flagship healthcare initiative, Aarogya Mahila, launched in 2023, and outlined Telangana's broader healthcare infrastructure aimed at promoting equitable and accessible care for women. 'The Aarogya Mahila programme currently operates in 372 primary health centers across Telangana, linked with 37 tertiary care institutions. Every Tuesday, women patients can access preventive screenings and consultations exclusively provided by women healthcare professionals. It is cared for by women, for women,' she explained. Since its inception, Aarogya Mahila has screened 19.21 lakh women, with over 42,600 referred for further diagnosis and treatment. The screenings focus on eight critical health areas, including breast, cervical, and oral cancers, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), menopause, urinary tract infections (UTIs), infertility, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and nutritional deficiencies. Breast cancer screenings have reached 14.49 lakh women, cervical cancer 3.51 lakh, and oral cancer 14.86 lakh. Also in attendance at the event were Ravinder Nayak, director of Public Health and Family Welfare, Kumar, Director of Medical Education, and other senior officials from the Health Department. The audience included female doctors from government healthcare institutions across Telangana.
