Early Times Report
LEH, June 8: In a significant decision aimed at deregulating the public health sector and addressing the healthcare challenges in Ladakh, Lieutenant Governor, Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, has approved the draft order/notification, making all medical practitioners registered under the National Medical Register to practice in Ladakh without requiring any additional approval or NOC. As per government regulations, registration of a medical practitioner is mandatory with the respective State/UT Medical Council in which the practitioner intends to practice. But since the UT of Ladakh does not have its own Medical Council and Dental Council, L-G Shri Saxena directed the issuance of an order making medical practitioners registered under the National Medical Register eligible to practice in the UT of Ladakh. L-G has also directed to provide clarity to applicants and the general public in this regard.
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/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," said L-G Shri Saxena.
Under the approved framework, all medical practitioners whose names are duly entered in the National Register maintained under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, shall be eligible to practice as medical practitioners in the Union Territory of Ladakh, subject to the provisions of the Act and rules and regulations framed thereunder. |
