Odisha announces Rs 1,000 incentive per day for doctors on Covid duty

BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha government on Monday approved Rs 1,000 incentive per day for doctors on Covid19 duty.
Besides, the government also approved Rs 500 per day incentive for staff nurses, paramedics, radiographers and laboratory technicians. The Class IV employees on Covid19 duty will get Rs 200 per day, a notification issued by the health department said.
“The employees are entitled to avail the incentives for those days in which they are in active line of duty in contact with Covid positive patients in Covid health facilities,” the health department said.
The expenditure for the same will be met out of Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. Government sources said the incentives will be over and above the remuneration being paid and diet allowances of Rs 240 per day.
Doctors welcomed the move. “It is a welcome move. This apart, the government should also consider reserving some beds including ICU beds for doctors who may be infected while discharging their duty. All hospital should be supplied with enough personal protective equipment, N95 masks, sanitizers and gloves,” said Dr Narayan Rout, president, Odisha Medical Services Association, a body of government doctors.
Notably, states such as Bihar and Tamil Nadu have announced incentives equivalent to one month salary for the frontline healthcare professionals.
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