State doctors seek more pay

A representative who put in the request yesterday said doctors and medical staff at general and provincial hospitals had to work hard as most serious cases were sent to them by community hospitals and government clinics.

Dr Chalermphong Suk-honthaphol, head of the Federation of Government General and Provincial Hospitals, said members were overworked and underpaid because of personnel shortages and various policies for free or low-cost treatment and the universal Bt30 health scheme.

Some 2,936 doctors from 72 hospitals across the country signed the petition.

Public Health Minister Wittaya Kaewparadai vowed later to seek extra funds to support the medics and to push for more doctors and health workers, which the federation also wants.

Wittaya said he would set up a panel of officials from all branches to systematically overhaul the pay scale. He said pay rises would be reviewed every six months to ensure staff got a fair return for their hard work and to cope with inflation.

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Proposed monthly allowances

Bt10,000 for those with 1-3 working years

Bt20,000 for those with 4-10 working years

Bt25,000 for those with 11-20 working years

Bt30,000 for those working for more than 21 years.

Additional pay for overtime

Twice the current rates:

Bt1,800 per eight hours for staff in emergency/ICU units;

Bt800 per eight hours for general medical staff.