In an emergency meeting called by the MlAG on Sunday, over 100 doctors and students from across the region flayed the decision which has been approved by the health ministry and is to be implemented in year 2015-2016. The meeting was held at IMA Complex in Sector 35 here. Dr Neeraj Nagpal, Convener of MlAG, gave a detailed presentation on the issue and criticised the move. He brought out findings of a recent survey report which brought out that 87 per cent surveyed female medical students said no when asked whether mandatory rural service will improve health services in these area.
He also explained the history of how decision of mandatory rural posting came about, adding that an RTI appeal seeking the latest notification has not been replied despite reminders and MlAG will be forced to take a legal course in the matter if the decision is not reversed. Dr Manjit Sidhu from Bathinda raised the issue of safety of the young unmarried female doctors working in rural areas forced to do so by an uncaring Government.
He said more than 60 per cent medical students today are girls and this policy alone will discourage students from entering medical profession. Dr Paramjit Mann, Nawanshahr while speaking on the occasion said 45,000 MBBS doctors are produced every year in the country and given a backlog of doctors who did not get post graduation in previous years about 95,000 doctors apply for PG every year.
How does the Government propose to adjust these 95,000 plus MBBS doctors in less than 3,000 vacancie