Bhubaneswar, Aug. 28: A week after 581 doctors were appointed in various government-run health centres, the health department today advised district collectors and chief district medical officers to encourage them to offer their best service.

On August 21, chief minister had attended the induction programme of these doctors given away appointment letters to some of them.

Health secretary Pramod Kumar Meherda has requested the district collectors and chief district medical officers to plan an induction session with them and brief them about their job responsibilities.

"It would be great if the district collector invited the newly joined doctors to their office to interact with them," said Meherda.

He urged the district-level authorities to ensure that the newly posted doctors got their salaries and place-based incentives on time and explain to them about in-service opportunities of taking postgraduate courses.

The state government has decided to give weightage to doctors who have served remote and backward areas of the state at the time of selection for postgraduate courses.

The chief district medical officers and other wing officers were advised to talk to the newly inducted doctors at least once a week about their issues. The district authorities were also asked to ensure supply of drugs up to the primary health centre level to ensure professional satisfaction of the doctors.

Finally, the district authorities were asked to facilitate infrastructure development at community health centres and primary health centres.