In a significant move ahead of Lok Sabha elections , the Tripura unit of the National Health Mission (NHM) has announced a pay package hike for its 2,051 employees of various categories working throughout the state. The announcement was made during a press conference held at the secretariat’s conference hall. It was said that the hike was effected for bridging the gap in compensations.
Health Secretary Dr. Debashish Basu disclosed that the pay increase, which will amount to Rs. 16.78 crore annually, will come into effect from April 2023. He highlighted that aligning NHM staff salaries with those of regular government employees has been a long-standing priority for the state government. A request was made to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) to develop a salary structure for NHM staff in Tripura.
Based on the human resources database of NHM staff, a preliminary assessment was conducted by the HRH team of the National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC). A proposal for revising the pay package was submitted to the Ministry. The revised structure includes provisions for annual increments, pro-rata increments for staff who have not completed a full year, and streamlining service delivery cadres to designated facilities.
Furthermore, hard area allowances will be granted only during the months staff members are posted in such areas, not for the entire year. Specialists practicing at the Community Health Center (CHC) level under IPHS 2022 will receive a monthly allowance of Rs. 10,000 while working at CHCs.
Differential salary hikes were implemented across various districts to equalize salaries. For instance, Senior Treatment Supervisors (STS) with ten years of experience in Dhalai and North Districts will now earn Rs. 34,207.
To maintain equity, differential hikes were introduced for staff members with similar qualifications and experience. The proposed salaries for positions such as Adolescent Counsellor, NPCDCS Counsellor, and NPCB Counsellor will see increases of 86%, 53%, and 15%, respectively.
In cases where base salaries were significantly lower compared to educational qualifications and roles, hikes ranging from 40% to 102% were provided. For example, Lab Technicians with ten years of experience will receive a 41% increase, while Dental Surgeons with fifteen years of experience will see their salaries rise by 65%.
Mission Director of the National Health Mission, D K Chakma, and Member Secretary Nupur Debbarma were among the key officials present during the press conference. This pay package hike is expected to boost morale and improve the working conditions for NHM staff in Tripura, ultimately benefiting healthcare services in the state.
