Doctors willing to work in India's far flung areas may soon earn double of what their urban counterparts do.

In order to provide quality healthcare to people in far-flung areas sunder the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), the health ministry will spot "difficult, most difficult and inaccessible areas, particularly in hilly states, northeastern states and tribal areas" where primary health centres (PHCs) would be incepted.

The ministry will make funds available for contractual engagements of doctors and paramedical staff and offer higher monetary benefits based on posting location.

Ghulam Nabi Azad, Health Minister said, "There has been a significant increase in attendance of out-patients and in-patient cases in PHCs and community health centres (CHCs) under the NRHM. But more needs to be done for remote parts of the country."

He added, "Because of lack of incentives from state governments, no doctor wants to work in the country's most backward areas. We will therefore identify the most isolated areas, pinpoint where the state can set up a PHC and then give them funds to hire doctors on contract."

According to an earlier report of NRHM, almost 8% PHCs are without a doctor, while nearly 39% are without a lab technician and about 17.7% without a pharmacist. To add to the problem, PHCs in some states do not have sufficient labour rooms and operation theatres.

Azad also promised to set up National Council for Human Resources in Health, an authoritative body to look into skilled medical personnel.

India has a shortage of 6 lakh doctors, 10 lakh nurses, and 2 lakh dental surgeons and this had led to a dismal doctor-patient ratio. India has a doctor-patient ratio of 1:10,000.