Despite opposition from many sections, the Union Health Ministry has reiterated its resolve to go ahead with the proposal to introduce rural MBBS course to tide over the shortage of doctors in the rural areas.
“Though the proposal for the Bachelor of Rural Health Care (BRHC) course has been prepared in consultation with Medical Council of India (MCI), a few associations like Indian Medical Association (IMA) have not welcomed the proposal. Nonetheless, in order to address the serious concern of availability of human resources in health sector in rural areas, the government is committed to introduce the course, with inbuilt safeguards,” a senior official of the Ministry said.
The course aims to generate a cadre of healthcare providers who by the virtue of the way they are chosen, trained, deployed and supported would be motivated to live in and provide comprehensive healthcare in rural areas at sub-centre level, he said.
The proposal has been put on hold for some time now after many professional bodies raised objections. The MCI has already prepared the syllabus for the course and submitted to the Health Ministry. The MCI, on direction from the Ministry, had also held consultations with the stakeholders.
The proposed course will be of 3-years duration with 6-months of internship and is proposed to be taught in the district hospitals and is especially designed for those who have completed their schooling and passed their qualifying examination from notified rural areas of the district.
The State of Assam and Chhattisgarh have introduced the short term rural medical course in the recent past through their State Legislations. While in Assam the course is continuing, in Chhattisgarh the same has been discontinued on account of litigation.
On its part, the Health Ministry has also offered financial support to the State Governments to start minimum of 50 medical schools for launching the BRHC course during the current financial year. The final volume of financial assistance, especially in the high focuses States, will be worked out later.
Source:Pharmabiz
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