Dear Doctors
As a leader of medical profession you would have heard regarding the proposed short term course in modern medicine-BRMS renamed as BRHC.The central council of IMA has strongly opposed this move. However the Medical Council of India has approved and passed this proposal on 11/03/10.This is a serious development.There is a public interest litigation in High court of Delhi where IMA Kerala State Branch is defending the profession.
Government of India is going ahead with implementation of this suicidal project without respecting the sentiments of the medical profession. It is a matter of shame that the Government could find traitors amongst us to support them.
I am requesting you to study the issue deeply, assessing its implications.We owe it to generations of medical graduates and countrymen to steer the nation into the right direction.The situation is extremely serious and urgent. Only the combined might of the medical profession can stop BRMS/BRHC.
Thanking you
Yours sincerely
Dr V C Velayudhan Pillai
Chairman Joint Action Council
Daffodils,No.10,Sasthri Nagar
Karamana.Thiruvananthapuram-695002
Mob : 98470-67440
Email:vcvp@eth.net
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
The wrong way for rural doctors- Anbumani Ramadoss
The proposal to introduce a shortened medical course is a folly: it will aggravate the rural-urban divide and give a raw deal to villages.
The proposal put forward by the Central government to introduce a shortened medical course at the graduate level to serve the rural areas will only widen the rural-urban divide and impede India's role as an emerging global power. In seeking to virtually revive the Licentiate Medical Practitioners (LMP) scheme that was available before Independence, the government has taken a regressive step. And in the process it is resorting to discrimination against rural folk, who are taken for second-grade citizens deserving medical care by a brigade of ‘qualified quacks'.
The scheme involves a three-and-a-half year course that leads to a bachelor's degree in medicine and surgery. Doctors trained under this scheme will work in rural areas. They will be trained in district hospitals.
In the erstwhile LMP scheme, students were trained for around three years, awarded a diploma and asked to meet rural health care needs. It was considered a way to bridge the gap between demand and supply outside metropolitan India. The LMPs outnumbered the MBBS graduates and largely served in the rural areas. Following the Bhore Committee report of 1946, medical courses were unified into the standard five-and-a-half-year MBBS degree.
The issue is the impact of this scheme on the status of the rural Indian. In what way are rural Indians different from their urban counterparts? Do they deserve health care from medical personnel who are less qualified than those who attend to the health needs of their urban brothers? Are their well-being and lives less important than those in urban areas? This discrimination could sow the seeds of disunity and discrimination. The scheme is against the spirit of the Constitution and human rights.
The proposal is superfluous, too. Any State can introduce a short-term medical course. We do not need a centralised concept of rural service, governed by the likes of the Medical Council of India (MCI).
The need is to utilise existing personnel prudently. Today even medical colleges recognised by the MCI, numbering about 300, face faculty shortage. How is the government planning to equip the so-called rural-based institutions that will eventually churn out semi-qualified medical personnel, with faculty and infrastructure?
India has a wealth of alternative medical systems such as Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Homeopathy and so on, that brings in hundreds of thousands of qualified medical professionals into the health care industry. They qualify after more than four years of training. It would be easier to use this huge corps of medical manpower according to the needs of the local regions rather than create a new cadre.
Today a nurse undergoes four years of training during her or his course, whereas the proposed BRMS course is for three and a half years. The rural folk would be better off being catered to by nurse-practitioners who are more qualified than the ‘qualified quacks.'
The doctor-patient ratio in India is 1:1,700. Add to this the doctors under the traditional medical systems and the ratio comes down to about 1:700. The World Health Organisation's recommended criterion is 1:300. To reach that target, we cannot go for short-sighted and short-term measures to create a cadre of semi-qualified professionals.
We have the schemes and tools to enhance the health of our rural fellow-beings. With an exemplary scheme like the National Rural Health Mission, all that is needed is to revive and give new momentum to such schemes.
There are more than a million fully trained nurses and more than 3,00,000 Auxiliary Nurse Midwives in India. There are also more than 7,00,000 Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs). Then there are Village Health Nurses, Male Health Workers, Male Nurses, Anganwadi workers and so on. There is no dearth of paramedical professionals and qualified medical personnel to serve the districts and villages.
Adding one more cadre of workers who are neither here nor there will lead to state- acknowledged quackery. Already, nearly 75 per cent of India's population is treated by quacks. The proposal will only help strengthen the cause of the quacks, bestowing upon them respectability.
Already the urban-rural disparity in health infrastructure is huge. If the rural areas are catered to by BRMS personnel, it will deter qualified and experienced doctors from taking up rural assignments. It was after much thinking and cajoling that we put forward a compulsory scheme for rural service for those who desire to pursue higher medical courses. With one imprudent and rash gesture, we will do away with a good practice that was initiated with astute planning.
Ghulam Nabi Azad, my successor Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, says BRMS personnel can be posted in Sub-Health Centres and Primary Health Centres. These already have more than enough qualified nurses who have completed four-year courses and done their practical training. So where is the need for a BRMS course that will produce medical personnel dismally equipped with only three and a half years of training?
The website of the Union Health Ministry provides details about the NRHM. Thousands of crores of rupees are being invested in the rural health sector under the NRHM to strengthen rural infrastructure. As Health Minister, in order to supplement the NRHM, I initiated a proposal for a one-year compulsory rural posting for each MBBS doctor after the internship. This faced stiff resistance from medical students. A committee under Dr. Sambasiva Rao was formed to deliberate on this issue around the country and give their recommendations. Finally, the recommendation was that anybody who aspired for a post-graduate degree should undergo a one-year compulsory rural posting. Unfortunately this recommendation came at the fag end of my tenure. Had this been implemented, every year we would get nearly 30,000 fully qualified doctors working in Rural Health Centres.
The need is to start more medical colleges in areas such as the northeast, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand. The country has nearly 300 colleges, of which 190 are in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Uttar Pradesh, with a population of 19 crores, has only about 16 colleges. Bihar, with a population of nine crores, has eight. Rajasthan with an eight-crore population has eight and Madhya Pradesh, with a population of eight crores, has 12. If the State governments open medical colleges in all the districts, we can have nearly 600 medical colleges, rolling out nearly 75,000 MBBS graduates a year.
We have another huge health resource pool to tap from: doctors trained in Russia and China. Their services can be utilised in the rural areas.
Many doctors settle abroad. The government should take steps to prevent this drain by offering them attractive remuneration, avenues to train and upgrade knowledge and due recognition.
One school of thought favours admitting two batches of medical students in each institution every year – in the morning and in the afternoon. Clinical sessions could be alternated. By resorting to the double shift, we can double the number of medical graduates using the same
infrastructure and faculty. This can be followed for medical, dental and nursing courses. This was accepted by the MCI for post-graduate courses when I put forward the suggestion that accommodates one more student per professor within the existing system, given the infrastructure available. Earlier one professor could take in only one postgraduate student; now one professor can take in two students without compromising on the quality of medical education, thereby doubling the intake of students to postgraduate courses, leading to optimum use of the existing resources and infrastructure.
My suggestions in a nutshell are here. Make one-year rural posting compulsory for all MBBS doctors after internship. State governments should start medical colleges in every district to create more medical graduates. Increase the number of medical graduates and post-graduates using the existing infrastructure and faculty. Focus more on the northern and northeastern States. Expand and invest more in the National Rural Health Mission. Start government-run nursing colleges in all districts. Public-Private partnership ventures can be initiated, using the district and sub-district government hospitals for the purpose. Preference should be given to students from rural areas for admission to the MBBS courses, and it should be stipulated that the graduates work for five to 10 years in rural areas. The harmonisation and utilisation of doctors who have been trained in Russia and China, who have undergone seven-year MBBS courses, to fit into the rural programmes could help. The utilisation of doctors from traditional systems for specific needs and programmes could be planned. Anyone who wants to join a post-graduate course in a government college should have done a minimum of three years in a rural posting.
This article is by former Union Health Minister; published by Hindu on 27/02/10
The proposal put forward by the Central government to introduce a shortened medical course at the graduate level to serve the rural areas will only widen the rural-urban divide and impede India's role as an emerging global power. In seeking to virtually revive the Licentiate Medical Practitioners (LMP) scheme that was available before Independence, the government has taken a regressive step. And in the process it is resorting to discrimination against rural folk, who are taken for second-grade citizens deserving medical care by a brigade of ‘qualified quacks'.
The scheme involves a three-and-a-half year course that leads to a bachelor's degree in medicine and surgery. Doctors trained under this scheme will work in rural areas. They will be trained in district hospitals.
In the erstwhile LMP scheme, students were trained for around three years, awarded a diploma and asked to meet rural health care needs. It was considered a way to bridge the gap between demand and supply outside metropolitan India. The LMPs outnumbered the MBBS graduates and largely served in the rural areas. Following the Bhore Committee report of 1946, medical courses were unified into the standard five-and-a-half-year MBBS degree.
The issue is the impact of this scheme on the status of the rural Indian. In what way are rural Indians different from their urban counterparts? Do they deserve health care from medical personnel who are less qualified than those who attend to the health needs of their urban brothers? Are their well-being and lives less important than those in urban areas? This discrimination could sow the seeds of disunity and discrimination. The scheme is against the spirit of the Constitution and human rights.
The proposal is superfluous, too. Any State can introduce a short-term medical course. We do not need a centralised concept of rural service, governed by the likes of the Medical Council of India (MCI).
The need is to utilise existing personnel prudently. Today even medical colleges recognised by the MCI, numbering about 300, face faculty shortage. How is the government planning to equip the so-called rural-based institutions that will eventually churn out semi-qualified medical personnel, with faculty and infrastructure?
India has a wealth of alternative medical systems such as Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Homeopathy and so on, that brings in hundreds of thousands of qualified medical professionals into the health care industry. They qualify after more than four years of training. It would be easier to use this huge corps of medical manpower according to the needs of the local regions rather than create a new cadre.
Today a nurse undergoes four years of training during her or his course, whereas the proposed BRMS course is for three and a half years. The rural folk would be better off being catered to by nurse-practitioners who are more qualified than the ‘qualified quacks.'
The doctor-patient ratio in India is 1:1,700. Add to this the doctors under the traditional medical systems and the ratio comes down to about 1:700. The World Health Organisation's recommended criterion is 1:300. To reach that target, we cannot go for short-sighted and short-term measures to create a cadre of semi-qualified professionals.
We have the schemes and tools to enhance the health of our rural fellow-beings. With an exemplary scheme like the National Rural Health Mission, all that is needed is to revive and give new momentum to such schemes.
There are more than a million fully trained nurses and more than 3,00,000 Auxiliary Nurse Midwives in India. There are also more than 7,00,000 Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs). Then there are Village Health Nurses, Male Health Workers, Male Nurses, Anganwadi workers and so on. There is no dearth of paramedical professionals and qualified medical personnel to serve the districts and villages.
Adding one more cadre of workers who are neither here nor there will lead to state- acknowledged quackery. Already, nearly 75 per cent of India's population is treated by quacks. The proposal will only help strengthen the cause of the quacks, bestowing upon them respectability.
Already the urban-rural disparity in health infrastructure is huge. If the rural areas are catered to by BRMS personnel, it will deter qualified and experienced doctors from taking up rural assignments. It was after much thinking and cajoling that we put forward a compulsory scheme for rural service for those who desire to pursue higher medical courses. With one imprudent and rash gesture, we will do away with a good practice that was initiated with astute planning.
Ghulam Nabi Azad, my successor Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, says BRMS personnel can be posted in Sub-Health Centres and Primary Health Centres. These already have more than enough qualified nurses who have completed four-year courses and done their practical training. So where is the need for a BRMS course that will produce medical personnel dismally equipped with only three and a half years of training?
The website of the Union Health Ministry provides details about the NRHM. Thousands of crores of rupees are being invested in the rural health sector under the NRHM to strengthen rural infrastructure. As Health Minister, in order to supplement the NRHM, I initiated a proposal for a one-year compulsory rural posting for each MBBS doctor after the internship. This faced stiff resistance from medical students. A committee under Dr. Sambasiva Rao was formed to deliberate on this issue around the country and give their recommendations. Finally, the recommendation was that anybody who aspired for a post-graduate degree should undergo a one-year compulsory rural posting. Unfortunately this recommendation came at the fag end of my tenure. Had this been implemented, every year we would get nearly 30,000 fully qualified doctors working in Rural Health Centres.
The need is to start more medical colleges in areas such as the northeast, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand. The country has nearly 300 colleges, of which 190 are in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Uttar Pradesh, with a population of 19 crores, has only about 16 colleges. Bihar, with a population of nine crores, has eight. Rajasthan with an eight-crore population has eight and Madhya Pradesh, with a population of eight crores, has 12. If the State governments open medical colleges in all the districts, we can have nearly 600 medical colleges, rolling out nearly 75,000 MBBS graduates a year.
We have another huge health resource pool to tap from: doctors trained in Russia and China. Their services can be utilised in the rural areas.
Many doctors settle abroad. The government should take steps to prevent this drain by offering them attractive remuneration, avenues to train and upgrade knowledge and due recognition.
One school of thought favours admitting two batches of medical students in each institution every year – in the morning and in the afternoon. Clinical sessions could be alternated. By resorting to the double shift, we can double the number of medical graduates using the same
infrastructure and faculty. This can be followed for medical, dental and nursing courses. This was accepted by the MCI for post-graduate courses when I put forward the suggestion that accommodates one more student per professor within the existing system, given the infrastructure available. Earlier one professor could take in only one postgraduate student; now one professor can take in two students without compromising on the quality of medical education, thereby doubling the intake of students to postgraduate courses, leading to optimum use of the existing resources and infrastructure.
My suggestions in a nutshell are here. Make one-year rural posting compulsory for all MBBS doctors after internship. State governments should start medical colleges in every district to create more medical graduates. Increase the number of medical graduates and post-graduates using the existing infrastructure and faculty. Focus more on the northern and northeastern States. Expand and invest more in the National Rural Health Mission. Start government-run nursing colleges in all districts. Public-Private partnership ventures can be initiated, using the district and sub-district government hospitals for the purpose. Preference should be given to students from rural areas for admission to the MBBS courses, and it should be stipulated that the graduates work for five to 10 years in rural areas. The harmonisation and utilisation of doctors who have been trained in Russia and China, who have undergone seven-year MBBS courses, to fit into the rural programmes could help. The utilisation of doctors from traditional systems for specific needs and programmes could be planned. Anyone who wants to join a post-graduate course in a government college should have done a minimum of three years in a rural posting.
This article is by former Union Health Minister; published by Hindu on 27/02/10
MCI Executive committee accepts alternative rural model of undergraduate education
During the course of deliberations in the workshop held by MCI in New Delhi on 4th and 5th Feb 2010,it was emphasized that entitlement to health is a human and fundamental right. The constitutional mandate vests the responsibility of actualization of same on the ‘State’ as an organ towards realizing the goal of welfare ‘State’. In spite of 6 decades of post independence developments, the vast multitude of rural masses which account for more than 70 % of the population are still out of the ambit of the desired health care. To address the inequities and disparities which exists in our health care system the National rural health mission was launched in 2005 with a commitment to strengthen primary health care and expand access to good quality health care. Despite 4 years of implementation of the National Rural Health Mission, more than 50 to 60% of the Community Health Centers, established for one lakh population, have vacancies of specialists and over 20-30% of Primary Health Care Centers do not have a MBBS qualified doctor. Out of nearly 1,46,000 sub-centers none of them has a MBBS qualified doctor while there are substantial vacancies of nurses lab technicians and male & female health workers. With such massive shortage of human resources in the primary health care facilities, the efforts to improve the infrastructure are having a suboptimal impact on disease burden.
It is also true that the trained health manpower generated by the present model of medical education is by and large urban centric and is reluctant to render rural health care. Clamour for postgraduate and super speciality qualifications, status and materialistic gains amongst the graduates are some of the significant inhibiting factors whereby rural masses stand deprived of the desired levels of health care.
The ‘Rural Model’ aims to tide over the crisis of the gross crunch of the trained health manpower for rural health care. It envisages creation of trained health manpower exclusively for rendering the health care services in the ‘Notified Rural Areas’. The course has been titled as ‘Bachelor of Rural Health Care’ which would be 4 years of duration inclusive of 6 months rotating internship.
It would be ‘Institutional’ in character conducted through ‘Medical Schools’ which would be tagged with Public District Hospitals in the Districts where there are no medical colleges as of now. The annual intake proposed for the said course is 25 or 50 students. The teaching would be ‘Modular’ in character at all the three levels and the ‘Competencies’ expected out of the Graduate at the end of the course would be well defined and notified by appropriate Regulations.
The eligibility qualification for admission to the course would be that the applicant should have had his entire schooling from a ‘Notified Rural Area’ and qualifying 10+2 examination from of the concerned district. Thus the admissions to the course would be ‘District Based’, yet the necessary relaxations in terms of the arising needs and situations would be evolved by the competent authorities in the States from time to time. The services rendered by the Graduates generated out of the model would be ‘State Based’ meaning that the Graduates would be required to serve in a ‘Notified Rural Area’ in the concerned State.
The Graduates would be registered by the concerned State Medical Council in a separate ‘Schedule’ created exclusively for the said purpose. The accruable registration shall be on ‘Year to Year Basis’ for a period upto 5 years, renewable at the end of each year on an appropriate certification by the designated authority to the effect that the incumbent has rendered rural health care services in the ‘Notified Rural Area’ of the State.
Each of the ‘Medical School’ would be affiliated to an examining university which would be conferring the ‘Bachelor of Rural Health Care’ degree on successful completion of the course by the incumbent.
The Graduates would be conforming to the disciplinary jurisdiction of the registering State Medical Councils vide ‘Code of Medical Ethics’ notified by the Medical Council of India. The proposed model would definitely provide trained health manpower for an effective rural health care delivery so as to fulfill the legitimate expectations of the rural masses of the country in a meaningful way.
After due and detailed deliberations, the members of the Executive Committee decided that the following additions be made in the consensus arrived at in the workshop:-
1. For first 5 years the Graduates should be required to be employed in Primary Health Center/Sub-Centers only. They should not be allowed to undertake any private practice during the period of first 5 years.
2. In order to attract better talent, an incentive in the form of “Rural Area Allowance” should be included in addition to the regular salary payable to such Graduates which would act as a major incentive.
In view of above, the members of the Executive Committee of the Council decided to accept the recommendations on Rural Model of Undergraduate Medical Education
It is also true that the trained health manpower generated by the present model of medical education is by and large urban centric and is reluctant to render rural health care. Clamour for postgraduate and super speciality qualifications, status and materialistic gains amongst the graduates are some of the significant inhibiting factors whereby rural masses stand deprived of the desired levels of health care.
The ‘Rural Model’ aims to tide over the crisis of the gross crunch of the trained health manpower for rural health care. It envisages creation of trained health manpower exclusively for rendering the health care services in the ‘Notified Rural Areas’. The course has been titled as ‘Bachelor of Rural Health Care’ which would be 4 years of duration inclusive of 6 months rotating internship.
It would be ‘Institutional’ in character conducted through ‘Medical Schools’ which would be tagged with Public District Hospitals in the Districts where there are no medical colleges as of now. The annual intake proposed for the said course is 25 or 50 students. The teaching would be ‘Modular’ in character at all the three levels and the ‘Competencies’ expected out of the Graduate at the end of the course would be well defined and notified by appropriate Regulations.
The eligibility qualification for admission to the course would be that the applicant should have had his entire schooling from a ‘Notified Rural Area’ and qualifying 10+2 examination from of the concerned district. Thus the admissions to the course would be ‘District Based’, yet the necessary relaxations in terms of the arising needs and situations would be evolved by the competent authorities in the States from time to time. The services rendered by the Graduates generated out of the model would be ‘State Based’ meaning that the Graduates would be required to serve in a ‘Notified Rural Area’ in the concerned State.
The Graduates would be registered by the concerned State Medical Council in a separate ‘Schedule’ created exclusively for the said purpose. The accruable registration shall be on ‘Year to Year Basis’ for a period upto 5 years, renewable at the end of each year on an appropriate certification by the designated authority to the effect that the incumbent has rendered rural health care services in the ‘Notified Rural Area’ of the State.
Each of the ‘Medical School’ would be affiliated to an examining university which would be conferring the ‘Bachelor of Rural Health Care’ degree on successful completion of the course by the incumbent.
The Graduates would be conforming to the disciplinary jurisdiction of the registering State Medical Councils vide ‘Code of Medical Ethics’ notified by the Medical Council of India. The proposed model would definitely provide trained health manpower for an effective rural health care delivery so as to fulfill the legitimate expectations of the rural masses of the country in a meaningful way.
After due and detailed deliberations, the members of the Executive Committee decided that the following additions be made in the consensus arrived at in the workshop:-
1. For first 5 years the Graduates should be required to be employed in Primary Health Center/Sub-Centers only. They should not be allowed to undertake any private practice during the period of first 5 years.
2. In order to attract better talent, an incentive in the form of “Rural Area Allowance” should be included in addition to the regular salary payable to such Graduates which would act as a major incentive.
In view of above, the members of the Executive Committee of the Council decided to accept the recommendations on Rural Model of Undergraduate Medical Education
Chairman's message
Dear Friend
Substantial ground has been covered in IMA after the central council resolution against BRMS on 27/12/09 in Hyderabad.The resolution was well drafted into a memorandum by a drafting committee.Later on 15/02/10 a special committee appointed by IMA National President fine tuned IMA’s position.Though yet to be ratified by CWC or central council,this remains IMA’s stand as of today
- The proposed nomenclature of “Bachelor of Rural Health Care” by MCI be changed as “Diploma in Rural Healthcare”.
- The term “Medical School” be changed to “Rural Health schools”.
- A separate mechanism should be provided for registering diploma holders from this Course other than the State Medical Register.
On 21/02/10 UP state working committee has reiterated the central council resolution.What has been achieved is only within IMA.It has to be noted that Government of India has not moved an inch.In these circumstances the agitation against BRMS has to be kept alive.
The action of JAC in this regard has shifted to political lobbying with members of parliamentary standing committee on health.We intend to engage them all in intense brain storming.
Simultaneously All India Medicos Association(AIMA)is spearheading the agitation amongst the medical students. Dissemination of information to all medical colleges is a huge task and is proceeding satisfactorily. The National convention of medicos is being held at Thiruvananthapuram on April 3rd and 4th of 2010.Only the student community can save the fraternity from the clutches of Government of India.
Let me assure you that even GOI cannot abolish section 15(2) B of MCI Act without 2/3rd majority in parliament.This clause states that the minimum qualification to practice modern medicine is MBBS.Vested interests are trying to bye pass this clause by getting a court order.We are fighting against this in High court of Delhi. If needed we will not hesitate to move the supreme court of India.
I appeal to all to stay united in this fight against assault on the profession
With warm regards
Dr.V.C.Velayudhan Pillai
Chairman,Joint Action Council
Daffodils,No.10,Sasthri Nagar
Karamana.Thiruvananthapuram
Mob : 98470-67440
Email:vcvp@eth.net
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
IMA strongly opposes the implementation of BRMS short term medical course-Punjab News line-Wednesday, 10 February 2010
SANGRUR: The scheme of starting Bachelor in Rural medicine and Surgery(BRMS) course is totally ill-conceived, impractical, discriminating step. Being started in the name of rural masses, it will produce substandard doctors who will provide only compromised care to the rural masses.
Dr. Amandeep Aggarwal,State Organizing Secretary, Indian Medical association, Punjab said, "How can there be two different standard for health care, one ‘State of Art’ (comparable to best in western countries) for urban population and second a substandard care for rural masses, jeopardizing the latter’s health & life? This is highly discriminating and against the fundament right of health of every citizens of the country".
Dr. Amandeep Aggarwal said, "we appreciate GOI concern for ‘Rural Masses’ and agree that there is shortage/ mal-distribution of medical & paramedical manpower in rural and remote areas and doctors are reluctant to go and serve in these area, it is pointed out that just providing the requisite numbers of doctors is not enough and this alone can’t work as shortcut solution to the real problem".
At CHC level short fall of specialist manpower, facilities and infrastructure is glaring. Obstetrician 56%, Surgeon 56%, Physicians 59% Pediatricians 67% with no provision for anesthetists. How will present scheme of things help in meeting this specialist services, over & above the shortage of para medical health workers, facilities as well as infrastructure.
According to Population Characteristics (2001 Census), Punjab had a population of 2.43 crores in 2001 and percentage of male and female is 53.3 % and 46.7 % respectively.Out of total 66.1 percent was rural population and 33.9 percent urban
Three tier rural health system is as: Against the population of 5000 there is one sub-centre, against 30000 there is one primary health centre, against 130000 there is one community health centre. Even as per government data, the shortage of para-medical staff is much more acute than that of doctors.
Currently there are 171,687 health centres in India and the number of dispensaries and hospitals is 33,855. There is a shortage of 20,855 sub centres, 4,833 primary health centres (PHCs), 2,525 community health centres (CHCs) as per the 2001 population norms.
Of the 22,370 PHCs in the country, only 1,263 of them were working 24x7 on March 31, 2005 (before the NRHM). The number of 24x7 PHCs today, as reported by the states, is 7,212.
BRMS course (3 ½ yrs)is going to produce half baked inferior quality doctors who will lack confidence & credibility to lead the team of other health worker like Nurses having diploma (3½ yrs.) / Bsc Nursing (4+1yrs.) or Pharmacist (4yrs. course).
This BRMS course is nothing except providing back door entry of substandard doctors to practice of medicine, said Dr. Amandeep Aggarwal.
Dr. Amandeep Aggarwal,State Organizing Secretary, Indian Medical association, Punjab said, "How can there be two different standard for health care, one ‘State of Art’ (comparable to best in western countries) for urban population and second a substandard care for rural masses, jeopardizing the latter’s health & life? This is highly discriminating and against the fundament right of health of every citizens of the country".
Dr. Amandeep Aggarwal said, "we appreciate GOI concern for ‘Rural Masses’ and agree that there is shortage/ mal-distribution of medical & paramedical manpower in rural and remote areas and doctors are reluctant to go and serve in these area, it is pointed out that just providing the requisite numbers of doctors is not enough and this alone can’t work as shortcut solution to the real problem".
At CHC level short fall of specialist manpower, facilities and infrastructure is glaring. Obstetrician 56%, Surgeon 56%, Physicians 59% Pediatricians 67% with no provision for anesthetists. How will present scheme of things help in meeting this specialist services, over & above the shortage of para medical health workers, facilities as well as infrastructure.
According to Population Characteristics (2001 Census), Punjab had a population of 2.43 crores in 2001 and percentage of male and female is 53.3 % and 46.7 % respectively.Out of total 66.1 percent was rural population and 33.9 percent urban
Three tier rural health system is as: Against the population of 5000 there is one sub-centre, against 30000 there is one primary health centre, against 130000 there is one community health centre. Even as per government data, the shortage of para-medical staff is much more acute than that of doctors.
Currently there are 171,687 health centres in India and the number of dispensaries and hospitals is 33,855. There is a shortage of 20,855 sub centres, 4,833 primary health centres (PHCs), 2,525 community health centres (CHCs) as per the 2001 population norms.
Of the 22,370 PHCs in the country, only 1,263 of them were working 24x7 on March 31, 2005 (before the NRHM). The number of 24x7 PHCs today, as reported by the states, is 7,212.
BRMS course (3 ½ yrs)is going to produce half baked inferior quality doctors who will lack confidence & credibility to lead the team of other health worker like Nurses having diploma (3½ yrs.) / Bsc Nursing (4+1yrs.) or Pharmacist (4yrs. course).
This BRMS course is nothing except providing back door entry of substandard doctors to practice of medicine, said Dr. Amandeep Aggarwal.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Centre receives flak for short rural medical course - Indian Express 08.02.2010
Central government’s decision to introduce a shortened medical course at the graduate level for serving rural areas only has not gone down well with the Indian Medical Association (IMA). IMA’s central council passed a resolution against this programme in its meet in Hyderabad in December. “We are averse to the idea of creating a shortcut to medicine,” said Dr Dharam Prakash secretary general, Indian Medical Association, New Delhi. “They will be like half-baked doctors,” he added.
Ministry of Health and Family welfare recently approved Medical Council of India’s (MCI) proposal for four year Bachelor in Rural Healthcare course. This course was aimed at meeting the public health challenges in rural areas. The condensed course aims to produce 1.45 lakh rural doctors.
“Even though the idea is very noble as something is better than nothing, but this will be discriminatory for rural population as urban areas will have fully qualified MBBS doctors whereas rural areas will have half-trained doctors. Also how can one restrict doctors to rural areas?” said Dr Hozie Kapadia secretary of IMA.
Dr Mrudula Phadke, former Vice-Chancellor of Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, Nashik, has also expressed reservations about the course earlier this week.
MCI proposed setting up of 300 medical colleges to provide education to rural students and deploy them to provide basic healthcare facilities to villagers. These medical colleges will provide a course in Bachelors in Rural Healthcare. After being trained, the graduate doctors will be posted in notified rural areas. “Instead of building new medical colleges, upgrade the existing infrastructure. Also increase the salary of freshers willing to go to rural areas to attract and sustain them for rural stint,” said Dr Kapadia. “This is a knee jerk reaction. Twenty years back also the government had proposed a three-year course to have ‘barefoot doctors’ for villages but it did not take off,” said surgeon Dr Shivkumar Utture.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
WAKE UP DEAR DOCTORS......
MCI workshop recommends
1. One and a half year condensed course after BRMS to award MBBS.
2. Eligibility for post graduation
3. One and a half year course as lateral entry to Ayurvedics and Homeopaths.
Courtesy Dr. R.V. Ashokan
1. One and a half year condensed course after BRMS to award MBBS.
2. Eligibility for post graduation
3. One and a half year course as lateral entry to Ayurvedics and Homeopaths.
Courtesy Dr. R.V. Ashokan
DELHI CHALO... STOP BRMS...
DELHI CHALO call by Joint Action Council succeeds in challenging BRMS.150 doctors and 150 medical students demonstrate silently in dignity before INDIA HABITAT CENTER ,DELHI. All deans and principals,all Vice Chancellors all health secretaries and all MCI members have been shown our concern and protest.Joint Action Council meeting held in TB association hall near India Habitat Center.Medical students of India form all India medicos Association.National convention of AIMA in march.Mr.Sreejith of Thrissur elected as chairman and Dr Anirudh of UCMS elected as Secretary General.Over to medical students of India.
Courtesy - Dr. R.V. Ashokan
Courtesy - Dr. R.V. Ashokan
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
DELHI CHALO.......
"DELHI CHALO" all arrangements in place.Doctors of modern medicine along with medical students will stand in protest before INDIA HABITAT CENTER ,DELHI where 300 deans, principals,vice chancellors.MCI members and health secretaries are confabulating on the curriculum and syllabus of BRMS. Against all odds the profession will rise the struggle will not end until we stop BRMS.
Joint Action Council (JAC) Against BRMS
Dear Friend
We are happy to inform you that a Joint Action Council of concerned doctors of modern medicine has been formed to fight BRMS. BRMS is a threat to the health of the nation and amounts to legalizing quackery. IMA central council has resolved unanimously to stop BRMS in its tracks. The aim of this Joint Action Council is to coordinate the opposition to BRMS at national level.
Soliciting your blessings and support
Chairman
Dr. V. C. Velayudhan Pillai
Co Chairmen
Dr. S. Arul Rhaj Dr. P.V. George Dr. Ashok Adhao
Dr. Mohammad Abbas
Vice Chairmen
Dr. Bhim S Pandhi Dr. A. Marthanda pillai Dr. Satyanand
Dr. T. N. Babu Ravindran Dr. V. U. Seethi Dr. K. Jayaram
Dr. M. Bhaskaran
Convenor
Dr. K. E. Paulose
Spokes Person at Delhi
Dr Naresh Chawla
Dr V N Sharma
Joint Action Council (JAC) Against BRMS
Dear Friend
We are happy to inform you that a Joint Action Council of concerned doctors of modern medicine has been formed to fight BRMS. BRMS is a threat to the health of the nation and amounts to legalizing quackery. IMA central council has resolved unanimously to stop BRMS in its tracks. The aim of this Joint Action Council is to coordinate the opposition to BRMS at national level.
Soliciting your blessings and support
Chairman
Dr. V. C. Velayudhan Pillai
Co Chairmen
Dr. S. Arul Rhaj Dr. P.V. George Dr. Ashok Adhao
Dr. Mohammad Abbas
Vice Chairmen
Dr. Bhim S Pandhi Dr. A. Marthanda pillai Dr. Satyanand
Dr. T. N. Babu Ravindran Dr. V. U. Seethi Dr. K. Jayaram
Dr. M. Bhaskaran
Convenor
Dr. K. E. Paulose
Spokes Person at Delhi
Dr Naresh Chawla
Dr V N Sharma
The HINDU - Edtiorial 03.02.2010
Doctors for the villages
While a country like China devised practical ways to deliver healthcare to rural populations by deploying its band of ‘barefoot doctors’ from the 1960s in a transitional phase, and then went on to expand full-fledged medical education facilities that enabled national coverage to a great degree, chronic shortages of doctors in rural India six decades after Independence remain a worry. The allopathic doctor-patient ratio is a dismal 1:1,722. Nevertheless, the Med ical Council of India’s proposal for a three-and-a-half-year course leading to a diploma in Bachelor of Rural Medicine and Surgery (BRMS) to produce a class of allopathic practitioners who hail from rural areas and will serve in notified rural areas may turn out to be a cure worse than the disease. Chhattisgarh’s experiment with a controversial three-year medical course (introduced in 2000 and scrapped in 2004) should provide a cautionary tale. The key question is: should rural folk be short-changed when it comes to the education, training, and calibre of medical practitioners?
The Bhore Committee Report of 1946 provided a highly commended blueprint for a modern public health delivery system and the training of personnel. It envisaged the concept of a ‘basic’ doctor who would be central to the delivery of primary healthcare; he or she would be put through five-and-a-half years of sound medical education. An alternative cadre of Licentiates (LMPs) who underwent a three-to-four-year course in medical schools was abolished after deliberation. But the Committee recommended the setting up of more medical colleges, with all available resources directed at the production of one type of doctor with the optimal level of training over five-and-a-half-years. The expectation was that medical education would match population growth and expanding healthcare needs. The number of MBBS seats in India is less than 31,000 today which is far from adequate. There were 17,654 medical degree-holders available at the time of the Bhore Committee survey to serve a population that was less than a third of what it is today and they were less spread out. The challenge before the government is straightforward: it is to increase the MBBS-level intake manifold, rationalising the process of setting up medical colleges — and cleansing the clearance system of multi-point transactional corruption. A package of well-considered and sustainable measures, including attractive incentives, to ensure that a significantly greater number of doctors work in the countryside, must be put in place. Narrow-minded resistance from within the medical fraternity should not be allowed to stand in the way.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Students reject course for better health services --TNN,
LUCKNOW: Terming the Union health ministry proposal to start a bachelor’s degree course in rural medicine and surgery (BRMS) as a “senseless
step” to save villagers from quacks, students from ayurvedic, Unani and homeopathy colleges of UP took out a protest march on Thursday. The march started from the Government Ayurvedic College and Hospital in Tudiaganj. Raising anti-government slogans, they demanded immediate withdrawal of the proposal. The march culminated into a congregation at the Shaheed Smarak.
“Compromising quality to meet a crisis is not a solution to any problem. The decision is ridiculous, especially when the government has qualified doctors,” said Jeetendra Kumar, president, Prantiye Ayush Chhatra Sangarsh Samiti - the banner under which the students are protesting.
The association cited various facts to prove its point:
First, the country has more than 7.25 lakh Ayush doctors, most of whom are passouts of government ayurvedic, Unani and homeopathy colleges. But of these, only 41,000 are in government doctors. “Why not use this human resource to do the needful?” questioned a student.
Second, agitating students said , Ayush doctors study basic aspects of medicine and survey and dynamics of health for five-and-a-half years which includes one year of internship. Many pursue postgraduation and even research which means that Ayush doctors are more qualified than BRMS doctors.
“It takes three years or more to become a nurse or a pharmacist.... won’t this degree mean compromising the level of doctors,” asked another student. His friend added that the syllabus of medical science through any stream cannot be completed in three years. “The burden is so much that even five-and-a-half years fall short,” said a student.
Third, students make it to the Ayush colleges after clearing the medical entrance test. The exam is a proof of the competence and subject intellect. For instance, over 70,000 candidates appeared in the Combined Pre-Medical Test (CPMT) 2009. But only 1700-odd were selected in the medical or Ayush colleges.
“An Ayush doctor is not able to get a medical seat due to a difference of some 20-30 marks. We are a part of the cream selected through a recognised process. Our contention for the same posts is stronger than a BRMS graduate,” asserted a student.
“Compromising quality to meet a crisis is not a solution to any problem. The decision is ridiculous, especially when the government has qualified doctors,” said Jeetendra Kumar, president, Prantiye Ayush Chhatra Sangarsh Samiti - the banner under which the students are protesting.
The association cited various facts to prove its point:
First, the country has more than 7.25 lakh Ayush doctors, most of whom are passouts of government ayurvedic, Unani and homeopathy colleges. But of these, only 41,000 are in government doctors. “Why not use this human resource to do the needful?” questioned a student.
Second, agitating students said , Ayush doctors study basic aspects of medicine and survey and dynamics of health for five-and-a-half years which includes one year of internship. Many pursue postgraduation and even research which means that Ayush doctors are more qualified than BRMS doctors.
“It takes three years or more to become a nurse or a pharmacist.... won’t this degree mean compromising the level of doctors,” asked another student. His friend added that the syllabus of medical science through any stream cannot be completed in three years. “The burden is so much that even five-and-a-half years fall short,” said a student.
Third, students make it to the Ayush colleges after clearing the medical entrance test. The exam is a proof of the competence and subject intellect. For instance, over 70,000 candidates appeared in the Combined Pre-Medical Test (CPMT) 2009. But only 1700-odd were selected in the medical or Ayush colleges.
“An Ayush doctor is not able to get a medical seat due to a difference of some 20-30 marks. We are a part of the cream selected through a recognised process. Our contention for the same posts is stronger than a BRMS graduate,” asserted a student.
Plan for medical course opposed by NHRC, IMA
STAFF WRITER 17:17 HRS IST
New Delhi, Jan 29 (PTI) Plans for launching a short-term bachelor of medicine course today drew flak from NHRC and Indian Medical Association who feared that the move might produce quacks.
"By doing so (launching the course), government will itself be producing quacks. We already have half-baked medical professionals in rural areas and if government also starts producing such half-baked doctors what will happen to the country?" NHRC member PC Sharma posed at a meeting of state health secretaries here.
The Union Health Ministry is contemplating to launch a three and half year duration's 'Bachelor of Rural Medicine and Surgery' (BRMS) course for students of rural areas to raise a a dedicated corps of medical practitioners who would serve in the villages.
Source - Press Trust of India
TNN, 31 January 2010, 03:54am IST
BRMS no substitute for doctors, feel experts
PUNE: Lack of doctors and proper health care in rural areas cannot be corrected by compromised health workers churned out by the proposed
Bachelor of Rural Medicine and Surgery (BRMS) course feel experts, who add that such degree holders will in no way substitute MBBS doctors, thus denying the rural population a right to good health.
"On one hand the health care in metros and big cities is quite advanced. On the other, rural areas where 60 per cent of the Indian population resides does not even have basic health care (primary care). This gap, however, cannot be filled by compromised health workers in the name of BRMS. It is against the fundamental right of a citizen of India where every one should be provided with quality health care of similar standards at affordable cost," said S Arulrhaj, president of the Commonwealth Medical Association a conglomeration of national medical associations of commonwealth countries.
Ashok Adhav, national president of the Indian Medical Association, said, "Factors like paucity of doctors, low doctor-population ratio (1.62 per 10,000 only), absence of doctors, lack of infrastructure facilities contribute to the absence of proper health care in rural areas. But this situation cannot be corrected by compromised health workers in the name of BRMS. The IMA strongly opposes this proposal."
Former state president of the IMA Devendra Shirole said, "If the service of qualified doctors is denied to the rural population, early detection of complicated disease conditions and appropriate treatment will be hit."
Meanwhile, the 84th Central Council of the IMA said it is committed to the health of rural Indians and also unanimously and strongly objects to the proposal to introduce the BRMS course, which is a compromised MBBS course, to take care of the rural population of India. "As per article 14 of the Indian constitution, all citizens of India are equal, whether rural or urban. The IMA demands that rural Indians be offered the same standard of health care which is offered to urban Indians. We appeal to the Ministry of Health, Government of India, not to dilute the standards of health care for the rural people. The IMA is of the opinion that only an MBBS degree should be the basic allopathic medical qualification in the country," said Adhav.
Arulrhaj suggested, "At least 25 seats need to be reserved in district medical colleges for candidates who will have to work in rural areas of their choice for the first five years, with annual recertifications. After the five years, they would be free to pursue a post-graduation degree, since, by that time, a second lot of rural doctors' will come in."
Adequate allowances, facilities like rural service allowances, proper free accommodation, education allowances for children, vehicle or vehicle allowances, appropriate reservation for education and employment for children, updation of knowledge, facility for interest-free personal loans etc. should be extended to doctors working in rural areas. Implementation of the Bhore committee recommendations of three-tier system of health delivery should also be done, said Arulrhaj.
"On one hand the health care in metros and big cities is quite advanced. On the other, rural areas where 60 per cent of the Indian population resides does not even have basic health care (primary care). This gap, however, cannot be filled by compromised health workers in the name of BRMS. It is against the fundamental right of a citizen of India where every one should be provided with quality health care of similar standards at affordable cost," said S Arulrhaj, president of the Commonwealth Medical Association a conglomeration of national medical associations of commonwealth countries.
Ashok Adhav, national president of the Indian Medical Association, said, "Factors like paucity of doctors, low doctor-population ratio (1.62 per 10,000 only), absence of doctors, lack of infrastructure facilities contribute to the absence of proper health care in rural areas. But this situation cannot be corrected by compromised health workers in the name of BRMS. The IMA strongly opposes this proposal."
Former state president of the IMA Devendra Shirole said, "If the service of qualified doctors is denied to the rural population, early detection of complicated disease conditions and appropriate treatment will be hit."
Meanwhile, the 84th Central Council of the IMA said it is committed to the health of rural Indians and also unanimously and strongly objects to the proposal to introduce the BRMS course, which is a compromised MBBS course, to take care of the rural population of India. "As per article 14 of the Indian constitution, all citizens of India are equal, whether rural or urban. The IMA demands that rural Indians be offered the same standard of health care which is offered to urban Indians. We appeal to the Ministry of Health, Government of India, not to dilute the standards of health care for the rural people. The IMA is of the opinion that only an MBBS degree should be the basic allopathic medical qualification in the country," said Adhav.
Arulrhaj suggested, "At least 25 seats need to be reserved in district medical colleges for candidates who will have to work in rural areas of their choice for the first five years, with annual recertifications. After the five years, they would be free to pursue a post-graduation degree, since, by that time, a second lot of rural doctors' will come in."
Adequate allowances, facilities like rural service allowances, proper free accommodation, education allowances for children, vehicle or vehicle allowances, appropriate reservation for education and employment for children, updation of knowledge, facility for interest-free personal loans etc. should be extended to doctors working in rural areas. Implementation of the Bhore committee recommendations of three-tier system of health delivery should also be done, said Arulrhaj.
NHRC oppose short-term bachelor medicine courses!
By Rupsa Das/ANI
New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has opposed the launch of short-term bachelor medicine courses by the union ministry and has called for a meeting on Friday to discuss the issue.
The Union Health Ministry is thinking to introduce ‘Bachelor of Rural Medicine and Surgery’ (BRMS) course of three and half year duration for the students of rural areas to serve in the villages.
Talking about the issue NHRC member PC Sharma said, “By doing so (launching the course), government will itself be producing quacks.”
“We already have half-baked medical professionals in rural areas and if government also starts producing such half-baked doctors what will happen to the country?” he continued.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Rural MBBS course discriminatory, says NHRC - New Indian Express 30.01.2010
by U Anand Kumar, New Delhi
TAKING strong exception to the Union Health Ministry's proposal for a rural MBBS course to provide treatment in far-flung areas, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday termed it discriminatory.
At a day-long meeting of State Health secretaries, NHRC member PC Sharma said people in rural areas were entitled to treatment from fully-qualified doctors just as in urban areas.
Referring to a suggestion of having three and half years of short-term training for deployment in rural areas, Sharma said, "This step would be discriminatory to both the people who get treatment from such half-baked professionals and also to medical students who take eight to ten years to become a specialist."
In a bid to combat acute shortage of doctors in rural areas, the gover nment proposed a unique three-and-ahalf-year bachelor course for students from villages. Once the rural doctors get their degrees, they will be allowed to practice only in notified rural areas. NHRC acting chairperson Justice Mathur said that in the absence of recognised medical practitioners, rural and tribal population were dependent on unqualified doctors.
Justice Mathur said that one of the big challenges facing quality medical care was untrained and unqualified people or quacks practicing medicine even in a city like Delhi.
TAKING strong exception to the Union Health Ministry's proposal for a rural MBBS course to provide treatment in far-flung areas, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday termed it discriminatory.
At a day-long meeting of State Health secretaries, NHRC member PC Sharma said people in rural areas were entitled to treatment from fully-qualified doctors just as in urban areas.
Referring to a suggestion of having three and half years of short-term training for deployment in rural areas, Sharma said, "This step would be discriminatory to both the people who get treatment from such half-baked professionals and also to medical students who take eight to ten years to become a specialist."
In a bid to combat acute shortage of doctors in rural areas, the gover nment proposed a unique three-and-ahalf-year bachelor course for students from villages. Once the rural doctors get their degrees, they will be allowed to practice only in notified rural areas. NHRC acting chairperson Justice Mathur said that in the absence of recognised medical practitioners, rural and tribal population were dependent on unqualified doctors.
Justice Mathur said that one of the big challenges facing quality medical care was untrained and unqualified people or quacks practicing medicine even in a city like Delhi.
“Delhi Chalo” - Chairman’s Message
Dear friends,
The medical profession of the country has been challenged .There is only one way out of this quagmire: to fight. Be prepared for a prolonged struggle for we are arraigned against formidable foes. People are sovereign, not rulers. We will use everything in our power to stop BRMS. BRMS is embodiment of injustice and discrimination on villagers and an affront on medical profession. The need of the hour is to unite and rise as one to protect the fraternity and the country .We will fight in the parliament and legislatures; we will fight in the courts; we will fight in the press and media; we will fight in the streets.We will never surrender. The world is yet to see a Government that can ignore concerted action by the medical profession.
MCI has called for a workshop of vice chancellors of medical universities, Deans and Principals and MCI members on 4th and 5th of February 2010 in New Delhi to finalize the curriculum and syllabus of BRMS. On behalf of the Joint Action Council I give a call to all to send representatives to show solidarity with JAC at Delhi on 04/02/10 to show our concern to the delegates. Let us meet in Delhi.
With warm regards,
Dr. V.C. Velayudhan Pillai
Daffodils, N/10, Sasthri Nagar
Karamana. Thiruvananthapuram KERALA-695002
Mob:098470-67440,Tel:0471-2349294, 2342252(O)
Fax: 0471-2344448, Email: vcvp@eth.net
30.01.10
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
Published in the interest of Joint Action Council
by Dr. Paul Samuel, e-Communication Committee
The medical profession of the country has been challenged .There is only one way out of this quagmire: to fight. Be prepared for a prolonged struggle for we are arraigned against formidable foes. People are sovereign, not rulers. We will use everything in our power to stop BRMS. BRMS is embodiment of injustice and discrimination on villagers and an affront on medical profession. The need of the hour is to unite and rise as one to protect the fraternity and the country .We will fight in the parliament and legislatures; we will fight in the courts; we will fight in the press and media; we will fight in the streets.We will never surrender. The world is yet to see a Government that can ignore concerted action by the medical profession.
MCI has called for a workshop of vice chancellors of medical universities, Deans and Principals and MCI members on 4th and 5th of February 2010 in New Delhi to finalize the curriculum and syllabus of BRMS. On behalf of the Joint Action Council I give a call to all to send representatives to show solidarity with JAC at Delhi on 04/02/10 to show our concern to the delegates. Let us meet in Delhi.
With warm regards,
Dr. V.C. Velayudhan Pillai
Daffodils, N/10, Sasthri Nagar
Karamana. Thiruvananthapuram KERALA-695002
Mob:098470-67440,Tel:0471-2349294, 2342252(O)
Fax: 0471-2344448, Email: vcvp@eth.net
30.01.10
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
Published in the interest of Joint Action Council
by Dr. Paul Samuel, e-Communication Committee
JOINT ACTION COUNCIL AGAINST BRMS
Dear Friend
We are happy to inform you that a Joint Action Council of concerned doctors of modern medicine has been formed to fight BRMS. BRMS is a threat to the health of the nation and amounts to legalizing quackery. IMA central council has resolved unanimously to stop BRMS in its tracks. The aim of this Joint Action Council is to coordinate the opposition to BRMS at national level.
Soliciting your blessings and support
Chairman
Dr. V. C. Velayudhan Pillai
Co Chairpersons
Dr. S. Arul Rhaj
Dr. P.V. George
Dr. Ashok Adhao
Dr. B.C. Chapparwal
Dr. Mohammad Abbas
Vice Chairpersons
Dr. Y.P. Munjal
Dr. Bhim S Pandhi
Dr. Ajaykumar Singh
Dr. A. Marthanda pillai
Dr. Satyanand
Dr. T. N. Babu Ravindran
Dr. V. U. Seethi
Dr. K. Jayaram
Dr. M. Bhaskaran
Convenor
Dr. K. E. Paulose
Spokes Person at
Dr. Anil Bansal
Friday, January 29, 2010
Students in Uttar Pradesh stage protest
Doctors Association from the Uttar pradesh have staged Dhrana and protest against the Medical Council India's proposal to start BRMS course for the rural Doctors in India.
Click here for the You Tube video
The Hindu News report 29.01.2010 Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu 
Medicos stage demonstration against BRMS course
UPSET: Thanjavur Medical College students protesting in Thanjavur on Thursday against the decision to start Bachelor of Rural Medicine and Surgery course.
THANJAVUR/TIRUCHI: House surgeons and students of the Thanjavur Medical College and K.A.P.Viswanatham Government Medical College in Tiruchi staged demonstrations on Thursday in protest against the Centre’s move to introduce a three-and-a-half-year Bachelor of Rural Medicine and Surgery (BRMS) programme.
The students owing allegiance to the Tamil Nadu Medical Students Association raised slogans against the move and urged the State Government not to allow the introduction of the programme in Tamil Nadu.
The agitating students, wearing black badges, staged the demonstration in front of the Annal Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital attached to the medical college in Tiruchi and in front of the medical college at Thanjavur.
The move, the students contended, would only result in bringing down the quality of rural health services and affect the prospects of the MBBS graduates.
Increase seatsThe students were also seeking an increase in the number of seats in the post-graduate medical programmes and recruitment of all doctors registered with the Employment Exchanges to fill up vacant posts in rural government hospitals.
The Hindu news report 28.01.2010
Protest against BRMS course Staff Reporter
| Doctors say it will divide medical education and create two cadres of doctors |
Claim concept of a rural doctor will further complicate the treatment scenario
MCI proposal aimed at addressing shortage of doctors in rural areas
Thiruvananthapuram: Doctors, including those from the Health Service, and medical students marched to the Raj Bhavan and staged a dharna on Wednesday to protest against the Medical Council of India’s proposal to start a Bachelor of Rural Medicine and Surgery (BRMS) course.
The protest, organised by the Indian Medical Association, recorded a heavy attendance with over 3,000 doctors and medical students, from both government and self-financing colleges across the State, and doctors’ service organisations like the Kerala Government Medical College Teachers’ Association, Kerala Government Medical Officers’ Association and the Kerala Government Insurance Medical Officers’ Association participating in the three-hour dharna.
Inaugurating the dharna, the past national president of the IMA V.C. Velayudhan Pillai expressed the protest of the entire medical fraternity against the proposed rural medicine course. Dr. Pillai called for the Union Health Ministry to drop the proposal, which he said would create a deep divide in the medical education system by creating two cadres of doctors.
The MCI put forth the proposal to start a three-and-a-half year rural MBBS course, to be called the Bachelor of Rural Medicine and Surgery (BRMS), so that students from rural areas can be enrolled for the same, who can then serve in the district hospitals and the primary health centres in these areas. The MCI came up with this proposal in order to meet the shortage of doctors in rural areas. While some States have welcomed the proposal, the IMA pointed out that it would create a new cadre of doctors who were not as qualified as their urban counterparts.
According to the MCI proposal, the BRMS course will be conducted at district hospitals and community health centres where retired professors will conduct classes. Students from the Plus Two science stream from rural areas will be eligible to join the course. After completing the short-term course, these doctors will be eligible to serve only in district hospitals and PHCs/ CHCs in their States and not urban areas.
Doctors’ organisations point out that apart from creating a divide between doctors as rural and urban, the MCI’s proposal will restrict the geographic area where a doctor may serve. Doctors have also raised concern that when already a lot of quackery is thriving in rural areas, the concept of a rural doctor will further complicate the treatment scenario.
The IMA said that rather than creating half-baked set of doctors, the government should be doing more to improve the health infrastructure in rural areas and give more incentives to doctors to serve in these areas.
Through compulsory rural service, ensuring the participation of private medical colleges in rural health care and liberal health investment policies, the shortage of doctors to serve in rural areas can be tackled, the IMA said.
The MCI proposal is slated to be finalised by March after a national-level workshop in February, in which the Deans of all 300 medical colleges in the country, Vice-Chancellors of medical universities and the Directors of Medical Education from all States will take part.
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