Director of Medical Education, Andhra Pradesh, on Monday started the counselling programme for appointment of doctors at the primary health centres (PHCs) in the state under the one-year compulsory rural service rule being implemented by the Union government from this year across the country.
Candidates who have completed post-graduation medical courses attended the counselling. The Union government has made it mandatory for all graduates and post-graduates in medicine to work for one year at PHCs, area hospitals and district headquarters without fail in rural areas.
The first batch of candidates, who have completed post-graduation in medicine, attended the counselling at the Siddhartha Medical College on the first day on Monday. Principal secretary, Health, Dr PV Ramesh, commissioner of health and family welfare Y V Anuradha supervised the arrangements made for the counseling programme. It is estimated that nearly 2,000 medical graduates and post-graduates will join rural service in the state this year. Nearly 200 doctors are to be appointed in Krishna district. It is felt that it will strengthen the rural medical services in the state. The candidates said they would feel happy if the government gives permanent postings with salary of not less than Rs 30,000 per month.
They resented the one-year rule and pointed out that it is like a ‘use and throw’ policy as the candidates will be dumped after one year service.
Junior Doctors Association leader K Kranti pointed out that the government was planning to use services of the doctors at low salaries.