LEH, Jun 8; Ladakh Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Monday approved a draft notification permitting all medical practitioners registered under the National Medical Register (NMR) to practice in the Union Territory without obtaining any additional approval or NOC.
The move is aimed at addressing the region’s doctor shortage and strengthening healthcare services.
According to the government regulations, registration of a medical practitioner is mandatory with the respective state or UT Medical Council, where the practitioner intends to practice.
But since, Ladakh does not have a medical or dental council of its own, Saxena directed to issue an order that would make a medical practitioners, registered under the NMR, eligible to practice in the UT.
The LG has also directed to provide clarity to applicants and the general public in this regard, a Lok Bhavan spokesperson said.
He said the decision forms part of the administration’s ongoing ‘Deregulation 2.0’ reforms and is expected to substantially improve the availability of healthcare professionals, including medical officers and doctors, particularly in remote and underserved areas of Ladakh.
Ladakh has been facing an acute shortage of doctors and specialists for several years, with many sanctioned posts remaining vacant.
Consequently, the healthcare system has had to rely heavily on contractual doctors, medical officers and specialists engaged under the National Health Mission (NHM), often affecting the availability of specialised medical services in far-flung areas.
“Quality healthcare is a fundamental necessity for every citizen. This reform will help attract more qualified medical practitioners to Ladakh, thereby, addressing the shortage of doctors and specialists, and strengthening healthcare delivery, particularly in remote and difficult areas.
“It is a major step towards ensuring better access to healthcare services for the people of Ladakh while also advancing the objectives of Deregulation 2.0 and ease of professional practice,” the Lt Governor said.
Under the approved framework, all medical practitioners whose names are duly entered in the National Register maintained under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, will be eligible to practice as medical practitioners in Ladakh, subject to the provisions of the Act and rules and regulations framed thereunder, the spokesperson said.
He said the approval follows extensive deliberations under Priority Area 19 (Healthcare) of Deregulation 2.0, which seeks to simplify the process for medical practitioners registered in any state, Union Territory or the National Medical Register to practice in another Union Territory without requiring additional approvals or No Objection Certificates (NOCs).
Follow our WhatsApp channel
