Stopping and recovering back of rural incentives given to NHM doctors in Kupwara an Autocratic apporach : DAK

Srinagar:  Doctors Association Kashmir today was called upon by NHM Doctors working in kupwara and handed over their letter regarding stoppage of rural incentives given to them for working in rural and remote areas of kupwara.

Dr Suhail Naik said that Government provides incentives to doctors serving in rural and remote areas so that they find it attractive to serve in far flung areas.

National Health Mission (NHM) is provided to states and UTs to strengthen healthcare systems, including for engaging of doctors on contractual basis, based on the requirements in their Programme Implementation Plans,” The support under NHM is provided for doctors like provision of incentives under different categories scheduled as A, B,C  for serving in rural and remote areas so that they find it attractive to serve in such areas.

General Secretary DAK, Dr Owais H Dar said that the incentives had been started in 2013 as an ongoing activity in programmes like  like JSSK, JSSY, RKS and hundreds of Doctors  are getting these incentives in J&K under prescribed categories. Dr Dar further added that the incentives have been stopped in entire kashmir while as in Jammu province the authorities are continuing with the incentives as per the prescribed norms. NHM delegation also apprised DAK that the authorities have even started the process of recovery of the monetary  incentives given to doctors in previous years  without any formal order.

Joint Secretary DAK, Dr Arshed H Trag added that In a grotesque move, the Block Accounts managers (BAM) in Dist Kupwara have started recovering the incentive paid to the doctors working in difficult areas from April 2018 without any formal Govt order. It is partisan that jammu doctors are given rural incentives while as in kashmir authorities have started recovery of the incentives without any formal order from higher authorities.

Dr Ajaz Ahmad, Dist President Secretary DAK for Kupwara said that this move is highly pathetic on part of the BAM’S who are recovering the incentives from the salaries of the doctors without any prior information. Time and again NHM doctors have been requesting them to provide the formal orders from the Govt in which it has been stated that the incentives should be stopped and direction for recoveries ordered. But the BAP’s are reluctant to show the orders which in turn casts doubt on their arbitrary move.

Doctors Association Kashmir requests the Hon’ble Advisor for Health and Medical Educations, Shri k Vijay Kumar and mission Director of NHM to take serious note of this grave issue.