Mandatory Three-months District Residency Programme for MD, MS students in JnK

Srinagar: With an aim to provide better practical training to the doctors, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has made it compulsory for doctors pursuing MD and MS courses to serve in the district hospitals for three months as mandated under the District Residency Programme (DRP).

Issuing an order in this regard, the Secretary of Health and Medical Education (H&ME), Bhupinder Kumar clarified that District Residency Programme (DRP) is being included as a part of the course curriculum for the Post Graduate residents, admitted during the academic year 2021-2022. 

The order effective from April 2023, mentions that the PG medical (MD/MS) students will be deployed in various district hospitals. As per the list included with the order, 349 PG doctors belonging from Kashmir Province will have to undergo the DRP and in case of Jammu Province, there are altogether 223 doctors who will have to serve in the district hospitals.

Informing about the District Residency Programme, the Government Order dated 10.10.2022 stated, "In order to implement District Residency Programme [DRP] the Compulsory Residential Rotation of 03 (three) months in District Hospitals as a part of the course curriculum for the Post Graduate residents, admitted during the academic year 2021-22, is notified for the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir w.e.f. 01.04.2023 to 30.09.2024 as indicated in Annexure-A (for Kashmir Province) & Annexure-B (for Jammu Province)."

Bhupinder Kumar has already informed the heads of various medical institutes about this programme and the order mentions in this regard, "The Director, SKIMS Soura, Srinagar, Principal Medical Colleges, Srinagar/Jammu & Principal, ASCOMS, Jammu shall ensure placement/deputation of Post Graduate Students far the District Residency Programme as per the placement schedule/roster strictly as indicated in Annexure-A Annexure-B to this order."

The Director of Health Services of J & K has been asked to ensure to provide amenities to the District Residents. Referring to this, the order read, "The Director, Health Services, Jammu Kashmir shall ensure. providing of amenities to the District Residents, including, amongst others, suitable accommodation, transportation to workplace. (if living quarters are far away), security, especially for lady residents. However, this shall be provided strictly as per their entitlements under laid down rules prescribed for the purpose."

"The District Residents shall continue to draw their stipend/salary as per their entitlements under laid down rules from their respective Medical Colleges for the duration of the rotation period of three months on the basis of attendance certificates to be issued by the concerned Medical Superintendent of the District Hospital," it added.

Click here, to view the Government Order issued by the Health and Medical Education Department.

Also Read: NMC Draft Regulations details District Residency Programme for 3 Months, Here is what they say