Exit test for MBBS graduates likely
Dec 31, 2016, New Delhi, DHNS
The Union health ministry has proposed to change the law to introduce an exit test for MBBS graduates and to ensure availability of doctors in thousands of villages.
A new set of amendments to the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956, has been suggested. The plan is to insert a new clause in the legislation for securing up to 50% of seats in postgraduation courses in government colleges for medical officers in government services who have served at least three years in remote and difficult areas. After acquiring post graduate degree, the medical officers may be required to serve in remote or difficult areas for another three years.
A similar scheme by the UPA government to have more presence of doctors in the countryside failed because of the lukewarm response from the doctors. However, this time, a change in the law has been proposed to improve the implementation.
India currently has upwards of 17,000 postgraduate seats and about 25,000 primary health centres. However, the doctor-patient ratio remains one of the world’s worst as a large number of doctors do not serve in the countryside.
A new set of amendments to the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956, has been suggested. The plan is to insert a new clause in the legislation for securing up to 50% of seats in postgraduation courses in government colleges for medical officers in government services who have served at least three years in remote and difficult areas. After acquiring post graduate degree, the medical officers may be required to serve in remote or difficult areas for another three years.
A similar scheme by the UPA government to have more presence of doctors in the countryside failed because of the lukewarm response from the doctors. However, this time, a change in the law has been proposed to improve the implementation.
India currently has upwards of 17,000 postgraduate seats and about 25,000 primary health centres. However, the doctor-patient ratio remains one of the world’s worst as a large number of doctors do not serve in the countryside.
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