SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena on Monday approved a draft notification allowing all medical practitioners registered under the National Medical Register (NMR) to practise in the Union Territory without requiring any additional approval or No Objection Certificate (NOC).
The decision is aimed at addressing the long-standing shortage of doctors and strengthening healthcare delivery in the region, particularly in remote and underserved areas, a Lok Bhavan spokesperson said.
Under existing regulations, medical practitioners are required to register with the respective State or Union Territory Medical Council before practising in that jurisdiction. However, as Ladakh does not have its own medical or dental council, the administration has now enabled NMR-registered practitioners to work in the region without further procedural requirements.
The Lieutenant Governor has also directed that clarity be provided to applicants and the public regarding the new framework, the spokesperson added.
The move forms part of the administration’s ‘Deregulation 2.0’ reforms and is expected to improve the availability of medical officers and specialists in Ladakh, where a significant number of sanctioned posts remain vacant.
Ladakh has faced an acute shortage of doctors for several years, with the healthcare system heavily dependent on contractual doctors and personnel engaged under the National Health Mission (NHM), often limiting access to specialised care in far-flung areas.
Saxena said the reform would help attract more qualified medical professionals to the Union Territory and improve healthcare access for residents.
“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,” he said.
He added that the decision marks a significant step towards improving healthcare access while advancing the objectives of deregulation and ease of professional practice.
Under the approved framework, all medical practitioners registered under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, and listed in the National Register, will be eligible to practise in Ladakh in accordance with the Act and associated rules, the spokesperson said.
The approval follows detailed deliberations under Priority Area 19 (Healthcare) of the Deregulation 2.0 initiative, which seeks to simplify inter-jurisdictional medical practice by removing the requirement for additional approvals or NOCs.
