Azad favours doubling salary of docs in rural areas

The Centre, in association with states, is in the process of identifying inaccessible areas in hilly states, tribal areas and the northeast, where primary health care centres are operating without doctors. The states will recruit doctors for these PHCs with additional incentives, resources for which can be provided by the Centre.

“We could even double the regular salary of doctors. The National Rural Health Mission will rescue the states (from the additional financial burden),” Azad said, unveiling the 100-days agenda for the Union Health Ministry. While both private and government doctors can be appointed, they will be recruited on contract basis.

The minister did not rule out the possibility of making rural posting mandatory for fresh MBBS students, before going for post graduation.

The controversial proposal was mooted by former health minister Anbumani Ramadoss, but no decision has been taken so far. Within the next three months, a national council on human resources in health may be constituted to take care of the declining number of doctors, nurses and paramedical staff in the public healthcare.