Extra perks for doctors in rural areas

Mumbai: The state health department is going to provide extra allowance/incentives for doctors serving in rural areas. The move has come after doctors are seen dodging rural duties.

With the decision, the doctors will get ‘overtime’ for the extra hours they work. Doctors working in rural areas earn Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000. But, they have to work more than eight hours or attend emergencies and Out Patient Department (OPD). According to the decision, doctors will now earn up to Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh.

The state health department has taken this decision with the aim of encouraging maximum doctors to work and serve in rural areas. According to officials, the decision of giving extra money for ‘overtime’ is in favour of doctors who want to work in rural areas and earn decent amount.

Talking to The Asian Age, Dr Sanjeev Kumar, commissioner, National Health Mission (NHM) said, “ The funding initiative will make doctors serve more in rural areas and we are also open to other offers in case a doctor brings up some new ideas with the district committee for serving in counter parts of areas.”

When Dr Kumar was asked about how the remuneration will play out, said, “ The remuneration is depending on the performance of doctor which is going to be linked to their bio-metric attendance. If a medico manages to perform more than 20 to 30 surgeries per month, the amount would be credited into his or her account.”