Table 3 Key policies related to the regulatory domain

Enhanced scopes of practice

• Physicians are allowed to private practice with specific fees during off hours

• Nurses also are allowed to work in the private sector before and after office hours

Producing new types of health workers

• The programmes for production of other paramedics such as medical assistants, laboratory assistants, pharmacists, and physiotherapy assistants are already in place

• Currently, there are a number of nursing and related programmes, such as BSc nursing, postbasic nursing, diploma in nursing, family welfare assistant, community skilled birth assistants, and community health-care providers

Compulsory service in rural area

• Provision of minimum 2 years of services at Union Health Sub-Centre

• The Nursing Personnel Recruitment Rules were developed in 1985, without any provision of compulsory rural services

• Preference to fill vacancies for remote and hard-to-reach areas/health facilities

• Recently, efforts are underway to introduce provision of compulsory services in rural health facilities

• Provision of non-practicing allowance is given to encourage physicians to purely focus on public services

Subsidized education for return of service

• Provision of scholarships, bursaries, and other training and education subsidies are available, but not particularly focused on rural retention

• Provision of scholarships, bursaries, and other training and education subsidies are available, but not particularly focused on rural retention