Date:27/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/27/stories/2008092757710500.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

RMPs, PMPs recognised as community para-medics

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Friday decided to recognise the services of Rural Medical Practitioners (RMP) and Private Medical Practitioners (PMP). To be known as “community paramedics”, these RMPs and PMPs will undergo mandatory training and examination under the supervision of a qualified doctor in a hospital or a nursing home.

The process of training, examination and certification would be done by the AP Para Medical Board. At a review meeting to mainstream the RMPs in the health care delivery system, Dr. Reddy said these para medics could not call themselves ‘doctors nor prescribe the scheduled drugs other than ‘over the counter’ drugs. They can manage acute minor ailments and take up follow-up treatment as prescribed by the qualified medical practitioner. Dr. Reddy said that these para-medics would provide home care for chronically ill, disabled, elderly and infirm under the advice of qualified doctors. He said the RMPs/PMPs have to undergo a certificate course of ‘community para-medics’ for 1,000 hours over a period of one year in their respective districts.

They would also go through 360 hours clinical training, 100 hours of field training and distant learning in public health. After examination of all the successful candidates, certificates would be issued. The time frame for training would be three years.