Srinagar, Oct 20: The Jammu and Kashmir government is considering an incentive policy for doctors working in rural and far-flung areas to strengthen healthcare delivery, Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo said on Monday.
Speaking during her visit to Uri in Baramulla district, the minister highlighted that while many doctors prefer urban health centres, those serving in remote locations deserve higher financial and professional benefits. “Doctors are ours, and they have to serve in far-flung areas too. The issue is that incentives are mostly given to city doctors, while those in difficult areas deserve them more,” she said.
Itoo said the Health Department is working on a new framework to ensure no rural health centre suffers due to a shortage of medical staff. She also emphasized the government’s ongoing efforts to upgrade rural hospitals with modern equipment and better facilities, noting that several machines have already been installed but more improvements are planned.
Addressing concerns about senior doctor availability at Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla, the minister assured that all senior doctors are present and performing their duties regularly.
The minister also addressed the QR code-based hospital registration system, assuring patients without smartphones will have access to an offline registration and admission process.
The proposed incentive plan aims to encourage doctors to serve in remote regions, improve healthcare delivery, and ensure rural populations have timely access to medical services. (KINS)
