Finally, AIIMS doctors get maternity leave

Updated on: 09 May,2011 08:00 AM IST |
Astha Saxena |

The institute administration issues the order two days after MiD DAY reported how senior resident doctors were being forced to work despite being pregnant

The institute administration issues the order two days after MiD DAY reported how senior resident doctors were being forced to work despite being pregnant

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) administration has finally decided to grant maternity leave to all the female residents working in the institute. The order came on May 7, two days after the MiD DAY reported how more than 40 senior resident doctors, who are pregnant, were being forced to continue their duties as the administration was not allowing them any maternity leave.

"We are really happy that the order came in at last. While one of the lady doctors has already delivered, the rest of them can now take good care of their health," said Dr Debjyoti Karmakar, President, Resident Doctors Association ofu00a0 AIIMS.

"After a long fight with the administration, we have won the battle. Apart from taking care of the patients, we can now look after our health too," said one of the residents from Neurosurgery Department on the condition of anonymity. The doctors expressed their happiness over the administration's order on the maternity leave on the social networking site Facebook too.

"Cheers......our proactive efforts have ensured the right of maternity leave to all senior female residents. Administration has passed the order", said one of the posts by the doctors on their Facebook page called RDA AIIMS. "Yes.......done it,....all female residents will now avail all maternity benefits," read another post.
The administration's long delay in taking a decision over the issue had made the resident doctors quite sceptical.

"We did not believe them until they issued an official letter and showed it to us. We were satisfied only after we saw the letter," said one of the residents on the condition of anonymity.