Jammu, Mar 15: Jammu Kashmir government Thursday made it mandatory for doctors to serve in rural areas for at least seven years.
 Announcing the new transfer policy for doctors in the state Legislative Assembly, Health 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 healthcare 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 posting 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.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 15 Mar 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
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