An SMS that did the rounds among medical students when the proposal to extend the MBBS course, to include a year of rural posting, appeared imminent, went like this: “Govt. of India announces special packages for aspiring doctors. Become a ‘super-specialist’ in just sixteen and a half years!! Do MBBS for 5.5 years and get one year ‘compulsory’ rural posting. In case you get a PG seat, study 3 yrs and get an assured ‘compulsory’ rural posting for two years. In the rare event of your managing to get a seat for DM or MCH, study for 2 yrs and be rewarded with a guaranteed ‘compulsory’ 3 year rural posting... Yet 2 b announced special packages: Married block in boys and girls hostels, Kindergartens in PG hostels... and who knows maybe a cremation ground too...”

The SMS may appear facetious but it eloquently expressed the fears in the minds of medical students throughout the country. Already under the stress of coping with a five-and-a-half-year course, the thought of sitting in villages and providing treatment without nurses, basic amenities or even medicines, is a frightening prospect. Many aspects in the world of medicine do not come with a guarantee. An emergency procedure given with the intention of saving the patient’s life could have the contrary effect. And then you can imagine the ire of the local community? Then what about women medical students? Will they not be vulnerable in an isolated rural setting?

Is there a solutions to the problem? A policy targeting graduated doctors sounds more interesting. Why make it a part of the MBBS course? Why shouldn’t we, instead, encourage fresh medical graduates to join the rural service under the NRHM by paying them what they deserve and giving them incentives like grace marks in PG entrance tests?

... contd.