Docs going to US for studies will have to sign bond for return
hesitation in saying that they have a vested interest to increase their practice," Azad said.
Azad said there was a paucity of doctors in primary health centres as doctors only wanted to stay in urban areas.
"The rural health care course was ready two years ago. The curriculum is also ready. States are free to implement the course, as Assam is doing, but we wanted the MCI's recognition to ensure uniform standards for the course across India. We hope the MCI will move fast on it," he said.
The course, Azad said, would create professionals above the level of paramedics and below the level of MBBS doctors.
The move is aimed at not just taming the quacks, who have a field day in rural areas in the absence of adequate medical facilities there, but also provide good medical aid to the rural population at their doorstep.
It is being opposed by doctors' lobby as patients from rural areas rush to private practitioners in urban areas, even as doctors' organisations feel the creation of a new set of professionals would confuse the population and lead to devaluing the doctors, official sources said.
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