Plans to make rural service compulsory: Minister

Kochi, Jan 21 (UNI) Kerala Health Minister P K Sreemati today said the government would put in place a rule to make rural service compulsory for doctors graduating in the 50 per cent merit quota in the self-financing medical colleges.

Addressing a gathering at the 40th Annual Conference of Kerala Government Medical Officers' Association here, Ms Sreemati said the rule would be brought into force to address the shortage of doctors in rural service.

According to the proposed rule, doctors graduating in the 50 per cent merit quota would be required to undertake compulsory rural service. The primary health centres (PHS) would also be made a model to dispense treatment to the common people.

''The operation of the centres will be streamlined and their working hours changed,'' she said.

The Minister disclosed the PHS would not be allowed to take any in-patients but the present working environment would be spruced up.

Ms Sreemati said the posting and transfer structure in the health services would be made transparent to wipe off corruption.

The posting and transfer would be strictly on the basis of seniority and be periodically posted on the concerned websites.

The staff pattern in the hospitals, lagging by 20 years would also be restructured, she said.

UNI