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Maharashtra Government's plan to boost rural health care gets MMC nod

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To solve the problem of shortage of specialists in rural areas of the state, Maharashtra will soon have diploma courses for MBBS students.

What will the courses focus on?
They are tailored to boost children and maternity health care in rural parts of Maharashtra, according Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) president Dr Kishor Taori.

How did the move come about?
In a meeting held last week, MMC, the quasi-judicial body governing the quality of medical education and ethics, gave a green signal to the state's ambitious plan to boost rural health care. However, the degree will be given to a doctor once s/he completes an additional two-year posting in state's rural areas. Admission for the diploma course will be held through Maharashtra Common Entrance Test.

What happened in the meeting
Taori said the council reviewed DMER's plan of holding diploma course for paediatrics, gynaecology and radiology, among other specialisations, but laid conditions that will benefit students who can't afford these courses otherwise. "In our review, we have asked the state government to not keep capitation fee so that poor students can opt for these courses too. We have also requested that there be transparency in the admission procedure," he said.

What MMC said
"The idea is very unique, it should benefit both people living in rural areas and MBBS students who can't afford further studies. However, we have left it up to DMER to decide whether it wants a year or two-year-long rural posting before the degree/registration number is handed over to the doctor," said Taori.

Background on the issue
Filling up vacant doctor posts in rural areas has been a long pending demand of health activists, social workers and public representatives.
Earlier this month, the state health department had terminated appointment of 81 doctors after they failed to take up their rural postings. These doctors were appointed as medical officers in different parts of Maharashtra.

Two months ago, the state health department had undertaken a huge drive to fill up vacant posts across the state in civil hospitals. To ensure that doctors, who are selected through Maharashtra Public Service Commission, take up their rural postings, the department has, for the first time, begun appointing them after counselling them about their choice of rural posting.

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