Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir government today made it mandatory for a government doctor to serve in rural areas for at least seven years.
Announcing the new transfer policy for doctors in the state legislative Assembly, Health and Family Welfare minister Sham Lal Sharma said under the policy, the minimum tenure period of posting of a doctor in any backward area could not be less than seven years.
The move was taken to improve health care facilities, particularly in rural and far-flung areas, he said.
As per the new provisions, health institutions are divided into inaccessible, very difficult, difficult and normal zones to facilitate postings of different categories of doctors.
An assistant surgeon and medical officer on his/her first appointment will be posted in inaccessible areas for two years and for five years in very difficult and difficult zones, the minister said.
Hilly districts, including Udhampur, Reasi, Doda, Ramban, Kishtwar, Poonch, Rajouri would be given special attention, he said.
PTI
