‘You Quote, We Pay’: To address doctors’ shortage in hills, Uttarakhand govt raises specialists’ salary to Rs 7 lakh

Dehradun: The Uttarakhand government has taken a major step to improve healthcare services in the state’s mountainous regions. Under the ‘You Quote, We Pay’ scheme, the monthly salary of specialist doctors working in government hospitals has been increased to Rs 7 lakh, up from the earlier Rs 5 lakh.

This decision comes in response to the persistent shortage of specialist doctors in hilly districts. Harsh geographical conditions, limited resources, and lack of incentives have discouraged doctors from serving in these areas. By offering higher pay, the government hopes to attract more specialists and ensure timely treatment for patients in remote regions.

Government’s priority is to provide better opportunities and incentives for doctors

Uttarakhand state health minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat explained that the government’s priority is to provide better opportunities and incentives for doctors to serve in mountain hospitals. He highlighted that demand for specialist services is rising in areas such as Chaukhutia, Pilkhi, Beleshwar, Gairsain, Dhumakot, and Pithoragarh. Strengthening healthcare in these districts will reduce delays in treating serious illnesses and ease the burden on hospitals in the plains.

The revised pay structure is expected to encourage doctors to take up postings in challenging terrains. Officials believe that this will expand the availability of super-specialty services in hilly districts, where patients often struggle to access advanced medical care.

Scheme allows doctors to quote their desired salary

Earlier, under the scheme, doctors could earn up to Rs 5 lakh per month. However, the government decided to raise the maximum salary to Rs 7 lakh to make the offer more attractive. The scheme allows doctors to quote their desired salary based on qualifications and service requirements, and the government pays accordingly.

Govt launched this scheme in January 2023

In January 2023, the state government launched the scheme 'You quote, we pay' to mitigate its 45% shortage of specialist doctors. Under this initiative, the Uttarakhand government allows a doctor to quote his or her price of service, and the state agrees to pay it. At that time, against a requirement of 1,252 expert doctors at various health facilities, only 565 were working in the state. A majority of the hill districts lacked specialist doctors, forcing patients to be referred to secondary or tertiary care centres in the plain districts.

Way to strengthen Uttarakhand’s healthcare system in the long run

The move is also seen as a way to strengthen Uttarakhand’s healthcare system in the long run. With more specialists on duty in mountain hospitals, patients will no longer have to travel long distances to the plains for treatment. This will save time, reduce costs, and improve health outcomes.

The government hopes that the increased salary will motivate doctors to serve in remote areas, ensuring that people living in difficult terrains receive quality healthcare. The initiative reflects the state’s commitment to bridging the gap between urban and rural medical services.