Medicos left in lurch in Chhattisgarh

Raipur, Sep 21: More than 1,900 youth enrolled in three-year medical degree course in Chhattisgarh have been left in the lurch after the change of government three years ago, with now their status raguely chracterised as 'multi-purpose health workers'.

As many as 1903 students had joined the three year medical course, introduced by the previous Ajit Jogi government, after Chhattisgarh was carved out of Madhya Pradesh in November, 2000.

The decision to start the course was taken in view of the shortage of medical practitioners because of reluctance of MBBS doctors to work in the rural areas. The then government felt that those completing the course could be posted as doctors in the remote villages.

Subsequently, six medical colleges, offering three year medical course, were started in the private sector and admissions were given on the basis of merit with an annual fee of Rs 29,200 for free seats, Rs 43,700 in payment seat and Rs 1,50,000 for seats under Non-Resident Indian (NRI) quota.

However, Medical Council of India refused to grant approval to the three year medical course while other organsiations of medical professionals also opposed introduction of such a course. However, the then government stood firm on its decision and assured that those clearing the course would be allowed to practice within the state.

After BJP came to power in December 2003, the Raman Singh government decided to discontinue the course, sparking protests from those studying in the three year medical course.

Subsequently, it was decided to allow the present batch to continue their course. It was also decided that Pandit Ravi Shankar Shukla University, Raipur would award degrees of Practitioner in Modern and Holistic Medicine to them.

The first batch of 32 students had already passed out and were undergoing two month internship at primary health centres. Besides, they were required to do four month internship at community health centres and six month internship at district hospitals, without any stipend. Out of the total 1903 students, 450 students were expected to pass out from these colleges this year. But all of them are facing a bleak future as there is no likelihood of government permitting them to practice medicine in the rural areas, as promised.

The three year medical students association president Mithilesh Shahi told UNI that the state government itself was confused over the issue.

He said Health Minister Dr Krishnamurthy Bandhi had been indicating that those who had passed the three year medical course could be appointed as 'multi purpose health workers''. ''Its a cruel joke and amounts to cheating'', he added.

Chief Minister Raman Singh held the previous government responsible for the present fate of students of three year medical course which, he said, was started without approval of the Medical Council of India. ''However, we will find out a way for them'', he added.

However, former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi said it was a fact that there had been a shortage of doctors in the rural areas, and all those, who had passed this course, must be allowed to practice as doctors in the rural areas.

He told UNI that the successive governments had failed in their attempts to motivate MBBS doctors to work in the rural areas. ''We had no other option but to start a course to provide basic medical education so that they could be posted in the rural areas'', he said, adding ''Is it fair on our part to ignore the need for basic medical facilities in the rural areas just because MBBS doctors are not ready to serve at these places?''.

Pointing out that similar conditions still prevailed in the rural areas, Mr Jogi said those who had passed the three year course were qualified enough to work in the rural areas.

''The government must designate them as doctors and allow them to practice'', he said, adding even the Government of India itself was considering to introduce a three year medical course in the country.

UNI