Odisha to give incentives to doctors posted in remote areas

The Odisha cabinet on Tuesday cleared several proposals, including the provision of special incentives to doctors appointed in remote and KBK areas in the state.

As retention of medical officers in rural and remote areas, with specific focus on Kalahandi, Bolangir and Koraput (KBK) regions, continues to remain the biggest challenge before the government, the cabinet approved that doctors would get up to 100 percent incentives (maximum Rs.40,000).

The incentives are determined on available objective parameters and ground realities such as backwardness of locality, tribal dominance, left-wing extremism, transport facilities and social infrastructure, chief secretary G.C. Pati told reporters.

The state government had earlier devised incentives like higher salaries and preferential admission to post-graduate courses but medical officers did not stay in the rural areas, affecting health services there.