Telangana plans pay incentive for doctors working in tribal areas to tackle shortage

The Health Department is planning to introduce additional financial incentives to encourage doctors to serve in tribal and remote districts in an effort to address long-standing gaps in healthcare delivery in these regions, said the Director of Medical Education (DME).

Speaking to The Hindu, DME Dr. A. Narendra Kumar said nine districts with significant tribal populations have been identified for the proposed incentive scheme. “The plan is aimed at motivating doctors who are already in government service to take up postings in peripheral and less-preferred areas, where faculty shortages and reluctance to serve have been persistent challenges,” he said.

The districts identified are Adilabad, Kumaram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Mulugu, Warangal, Mahabubabad, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Khammam and Nagarkurnool.

Under the proposal, doctors posted in these districts would be eligible for an additional allowance ranging between 30% and 50% of their basic pay. “The exact quantum would depend on the nature of the posting and location. The incentive is intended to compensate for the professional and personal challenges associated with working in tribal areas. The proposal file has already been circulated within the government,” Dr Kumar added.

The incentive scheme is part of a broader strategy to strengthen medical services in under-served regions, alongside other measures such as targeted faculty recruitment and selective policy interventions based on staffing shortages. The DME added that reluctance among doctors to accept postings in districts has been a recurring issue, necessitating financial and policy-based encouragement.

“Once implemented, the allowance is expected to apply specifically to doctors serving in identified tribal districts, rather than being extended universally across the State,” he added.