Date:05/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/05/stories/2007120553621004.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Do not compel

This refers to the raging controversy over the government’s proposal to make one-year rural service compulsory for students of medicine. As it is, we have very few doctors. If the medical course is extended by one more year, the number of students opting for medicine will fall and this will result in further shortage of doctors. Rural health problems need to be tackled using multi-pronged and long-term strategies, not ad hoc measures.

Rameeza A. Rasheed,

Chennai

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Instead of making students spend an additional year, rural service can be included in internship. Medicos can be posted in rural areas for some time during their internship. No quality service can be obtained under compulsion. The need to serve should be inculcated in the hearts and minds of the medicos.

M. Shanmugapriya,

Chengalpattu

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The government should focus not only on skilled workers but also on infrastructure and basic amenities in rural areas. As part of the solution to the problem, it can ask experienced doctors to serve in villages for some years and provide additional incentives to them.

Praveen Shankar Polasam,

Haryana