A complex issue
Shashi Tharoor's views in "When doctors emigrate" (December 10) apply to all disciplines. In India, doctors, engineers and scientists are not well paid compared to their counterparts in foreign countries. The Government should stop denying the highly qualified professionals their legitimate due.
Joy Eapen,
Vennikulam, Kerala
Rural India lacks basic healthcare for its millions. But sending doctors to villages without setting up the required infrastructure makes little sense. If, after these facilities have been set up, the doctors still decide to emigrate without serving in rural areas, they can be required to pay a hefty "Education Tax". This will work not only as a deterrent but will also bring the much-needed financial resources for rural healthcare.
Dr. Joseph Abraham,
New Delhi
According to Shashi Tharoor, the number of doctors working in the U.S. is only 25,000. What about computer professionals whose education is also subsidised by Indian taxpayers? Actually it is time to think of increasing the salary of doctors in India especially when one considers eliminating the subsidy to medical education.
Dr. R.P. Rajan,
Chennai
Analyse the reasons for this emigration. First is the disparity in post-graduate seats given the number of MBBS graduates. Second is the disparity in pay for a MBBS graduate compared to a BE graduate. The third assumption is that the latest gadgets and investigation techniques are required for medical practice. The Govt. can make it mandatory for all doctors to serve the community for two years, failing which they must pay a penalty. The other needs are to improve the rural medical infrastructure and instil a sense of community responsibility at the primary school level. Otherwise "Health for all" will remain a distant dream.
Dr. N. Anand,
Chennai
I disagree with Tharoor. The number of medical graduates far exceeds the number that has set the author musing. The subsidies can't be withdrawn, but the current policy on compulsory rural service ought to be amended, ensuring medical facilities in the remotest regions of our country.
Bindu Amat,
Kozhikode
I was surprised at Shashi Tharoor's article. The taxpayers also fund engineering professionals. If it is a question of service, then the engineers should also be given an opportunity to serve the country. The need of the hour is not to condemn those who go abroad, but to give better incentives to those who are still here.
Dr. Lalith Sundaram,
Erode
Looks like Shashi Tharoor has not done his homework. He knows the salary of a doctor in the U.S. but is he aware of the salary in India? In an expensive city like Bangalore , the average monthly salary of a specialist is Rs 15,000-25,000. Even prestigious hospitals do not offer more than Rs. 50,000 a month, even after six years of experience in the U.S. (which by the way is a draw-back). First, let there be better living conditions, and remuneration for doctors. Then people can ask why doctors still go abroad?
Ish Kaur,
Bangalore
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