The central government is working on a legislation making it mandatory for all doctors to work in a rural area before they get a permanent registration, Health and Family Welfare Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said on Friday.
"We are working on the draft bill and I am sure by the budget session of the Parliament next year, we will be able to come out with the legislation," he told reporters on Friday after attending the second steering group meeting of the National Rural Health Mission in Vigyan Bhawan.
Last year, the minister had proposed the compulsory rural postings for all MBBS students. The announcement met with stiff resistance, but the minister this time said they have discussed the matter with the Medical Council of India and other professional bodies and have got active support on the matter.
According to the legislation, a doctor after finishing internship would be given temporary registration to work in the rural areas. Only after serving for one year, would the doctor get a permanent registration. "After this they could go for post graduate degree or go abroad," he said.
Ramadoss said it has become necessary to come out with a legislation on this because 30 to 40 per cent of doctors posted at primary level health centers don't report for work.
Around 26,000 doctors are posted at the primary and community health centers.
"The doctors have to do this for the country," he said.
Ramadoss said the compulsory postings of the doctors would ensure better health facilities for people living in the rural areas. "This will help us to fulfill our mission under the NRHM scheme," the minister said.
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