The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Rural service

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Saturday, Dec 01, 2007
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Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Rural service

The controversy between the Ministry of Health and students of medicine over the proposal to make one-year rural service for medicos compulsory has snowballed with political outfits trying to fish in troubled waters. The Health Minister claims that young medicos are reluctant to move out to rural areas, which is not totally untrue. But by implementing his proposal, can he persuade the unwilling physicians to settle down in villages? The fear that extension of the course by one year will be detrimental to attracting the bright and young to medicine is not unfounded.

The existing MBBS course provides ample scope for the students to have adequate exposure to rural settings. It is unfortunate that neither the government nor the pedagogy follows it scrupulously.

Dr. K. Ananda Kannan,

Chennai

* * *

We have great respect for doctors. It is disheartening to see them comparing themselves with other professionals like engineers to oppose rural service. They should understand that not every engineer gets a monthly salary of Rs.40,000 and above soon after graduation. The monthly salary of some engineers is as low as Rs.5000 even in cities. With the exception of software engineers and MNC employees, a majority of engineers struggle hard to make their ends meet.

Don’t look at IT parks alone. The rural service scheme will benefit both the people and doctors. It is only because of the service doctors render to the common man that medicine is considered a noble profession.

S. Gopinath Babu,

Chennai

* * *

Engineers must retire at some age whereas doctors are independent professionals. They can work as long as they want to. So, in the long-run, it is doctors who earn more than engineers.

N. Nageswaran,

Chennai

* * *

It is estimated that about 25,000 Indian doctors serve in the backward areas of the U.S. and a substantially huge number of Indian doctors serve in the backward areas of the U.K. One wonders why our medicos are not willing to serve in rural India though. Medical profession is an evergreen service. A doctor can continue to practise all his life. So, why grumble about one year?

Asking IIT and IIM graduates to work in rural areas is not a bad idea either. But one should device appropriate opportunities for them to work there. Public sector bank employees and civil servants have to serve for a few years in villages. Hence rural service is not a new concept.

S. Balaji,

Chennai

* * *

Medicos have a commitment to society, as the money spent on their education is met from the national exchequer. They should set aside a part of their service for rural areas or other institutions as desired by the government.

It can be made mandatory for those wanting to do post-graduation in medicine to undergo government service.

J.J. Vellara,

Kozhikode

* * *

The continuing agitation by the medical students of Tamil Nadu against the proposed compulsory rural service is unjustified. The government wants just one year of their service to be utilised in rural areas. They can stay in nearby towns and commute to the villages. They need not imagine that they would have to live in remote villages like our British-era postmasters.

The medical profession is among the noblest professions. Monetary benefits alone should not be the guiding factor.

Rettavayal S. Krishnaswamy,

Chennai

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