Leh, Jun 8: In a major step aimed at addressing the shortage of doctors in Ladakh, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Monday approved a draft notification allowing all medical practitioners registered under the National Medical Register (NMR) to practice in the Union Territory without obtaining any separate approval or No Objection Certificate (NOC).
The decision is expected to strengthen healthcare services across Ladakh, particularly in remote and underserved regions that have long faced a shortage of doctors and specialists.
Under existing regulations, medical practitioners are generally required to register with the medical council of the state or Union Territory where they intend to practice. However, Ladakh does not have its own medical or dental council, creating procedural hurdles for doctors seeking to work in the region.
To address this issue, the Lieutenant Governor directed the issuance of an order making all practitioners registered under the National Medical Register eligible to practice in Ladakh. He also instructed officials to ensure clarity for applicants and the public regarding the new provisions.
According to a spokesperson from the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat, the reform is part of the administration’s ongoing “Deregulation 2.0” initiative aimed at simplifying professional and administrative procedures.
Ladakh has struggled with a persistent shortage of healthcare professionals, forcing the administration to rely heavily on contractual doctors, specialists and medical officers engaged under the National Health Mission (NHM). The shortage has often impacted 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, address the shortage of doctors and specialists, and strengthen healthcare delivery, especially in remote and difficult areas,” Saxena said.
Under the approved framework, all doctors whose names are included in the National Medical Register maintained under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, will be eligible to practice in Ladakh, subject to the provisions of the Act and related regulations.
Officials said the move follows extensive discussions under Priority Area 19 (Healthcare) of Deregulation 2.0, which seeks to enable medical professionals registered in any state, Union Territory or the National Medical Register to practice across Union Territories without additional approvals or NOCs.
