MCI opposes rural posting for doctors

New Delhi: In a move likely to irk Union health minister Anbumani Ramadoss, Medical Council of India (MCI) has said compulsory rural posting of doctors was "not feasible" as it would lengthen the medical education course and disturb specialization schedules. Ramadoss had said on Wednesday the government had decided to make one-year combined rural posting mandatory for doctors seeking post-graduation from the next academic session.

MCI chairman Ketan Desai said, "This is not feasible." MCI, Desai said, had already taken sufficient steps to increase the strength of medical practitioners in rural areas. "Of the 130 medical colleges opened since 1997, 101 are in rural areas. It is mandatory for all new colleges to have a minimum 25 acres of land, which is not possible in urban areas such as Delhi and Mumbai," he said.

The health ministry wants doctors stationed at primary health centres, community health centres (at sub-district level) and district headquarters for four months each during rural postings. For this, they will get a monthly stipend of Rs10,000.

MCI's argument is that doctors in rural postings do not get to hone their skills due to lack of infrastructure.

Puneet Nicholas Yadav/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication

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