Telangana doctors write to NCW about KNRUHS' maternity leave policy for women PG students

Highlighting the hardships of hundreds of female postgraduate doctors, the Telangana Senior Resident Doctors Association (TSRDA) has appealed to the National Commission for Women (NCW), New Delhi to clarify the KNRUHS' maternity leave guidelines, rejoining procedures, and other issues.

The doctors’ association alleged that despite of multiple requests made to Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences (KNRUHS) and the Directorate of Medical Education (DME), Telangana, the women PG students are still facing financial, administrative and health-related problems, directly affecting their academic progress and well-being.

Explaining the ordeal of students, the association said: “After completing the mandatory 3-month maternity leave, students are compelled to pay Rs 15,000 to rejoin their courses. Following this, they must wait an additional 15-20 days, sometimes more than a month, to obtain permission from the university. During this period, they are often denied access to departmental facilities.”

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Stipends are delayed by 4-5 months: Telangana Doctors Association

There are no clear communication channels as colleges are claiming that the university is responsible for rejoining students. Moreover, communication with the university often results in delays or direct college interventions. Hence, students are termed as absentees, and disqualified from the exams, the association added.

Students also did not receive their stipend during the extension period postmaternity leave. Even after completing the extension, stipends are delayed by 4-5 months, causing severe financial hardship and adversely affecting maternal and child health, the association claimed, the TSRDA said.

In addition, female doctors are denied casual leaves during the extension period despite having available leave balances, it added.

Therefore, the doctors’ association has demanded for an immediate action and formation of clear protocols. They said that the university must establish and communicate clear rules regarding maternity leave, rejoining procedures, and related processes to all colleges and students.

Colleges must also waive the rejoining fee charged from female students on maternity leave. “Postgraduates should receive their stipends regularly during the extension period to prevent financial distress. They must be allowed to take casual leaves during their extension period, especially in emergencies or medical issues related to maternal or child health,” the TSRDA has urged the authorities.