PG medicos differ on Centre's move on 6-month rural service

PG medicos differ on Centres move on 6-month rural service
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PG medicos differ on Centre’s move on 6-month rural service
Highlights

The Central government's proposal to make PG medicine students work in district hospitals mandatory for 6 months during their 3-year study is evoking mixed response from the medical fraternity in Telangana.

Hyderabad: The Central government's proposal to make PG medicine students work in district hospitals mandatory for 6 months during their 3-year study is evoking mixed response from the medical fraternity in Telangana.

Junior doctors or the PG medicos have different views on the subject. While some are opposing it others are welcoming it saying that it will lead to the betterment of healthcare services for the needy in the rural areas.

It may be mentioned here that speculations are rife that that the Centre was keen on bringing in a new rule so that PG students work in district hospitals on rotational basis, for improving better healthcare services in districts, as a major part of their 3-year study and duty will be confined to teaching hospital associated with the college.

A few weeks ago Supreme Court directed the Centre to frame a policy to make it mandatory for PG medical students to serve in public hospitals in rural areas for a certain period of time.

Dr G Srinivas, who is pursuing PG from NIMS, likened this move to the compulsory one-year rural service condition for PG medicine students after completion of their three-year study.

He said this decision was implemented in the combined State from 2012 onwards but was scrapped by the Telangana government in 2016." Many PG doctors were reluctant to discharge duties in rural areas as the State hospitals lacked basic facilities. It was a failed experiment.

Instead of stop-gap methods, the need of the hour is strengthening facilities, infrastructure and increasing manpower (doctors, nurses and paramedical staff) which will go a long way in ensuring improved healthcare in rural areas," he said.

Dr P S Vijayender, who is on the verge of completion of his PG medicine studies from Osmania Medical College offered a different perspective. He welcomed the Centre's proposal, but at the same time insisted on increasing infrastructure in allied hospitals in districts.

This move definitely improves healthcare in rural areas," he said, pointing out that the six-months of work in district hospitals is more or less PG training as part of their study, unlike the previous one-year rural service that went beyond their three-year study duration.

The Telangana unit of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) felt that this move would increase the doctors' learning capacity as they would be handling a variety of medical cases prevailing in rural areas.

" However, specialist doctors should be sent to those District and Area hospitals that have facilities. For example, deputing PG students from general medicine, gynecology, general surgery, ENT, ophthalmology, pediatrics, orthopedic departments would definitely benefit the public in the District hospital.

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