CPI(M) terms rural posting rule 'unfair'

Chennai, Sep 6 (UNI) Tamil Nadu unit of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) today said it was unfair on the part of the Union Health Ministry to link the five and a half year MBBS course with one year compulsory rural postings.

In a statement here, State Unit Secretary N Varadarajan said there could be no second opinion that doctors should be made to serve in rural areas, but extending the MBBS course by one year for rural service was not accepted.

On the other hand, the government should come forward to fill up vacancies in rural hospitals and insist on compulsory postings there, he said.

The Centre and State Governments should take steps to ensure necessary medical services in the rural areas and avoid harassing the medical students by delaying award of degrees.

UNI