The Maharashtra government has passed a resolution to reduce the gap between doctors and patients in rural areas. Accordingly, it has been decided to keep 10 per cent seats of MBBS and 20 per cent seats of medical post graduation for those doctors who are ready to serve in rural areas for five and seven years respectively. There are also strict rules with quota seats. Those who do not serve in state-run hospitals after the course is over will be given a five-year sentence and even their degree can be revoked. The state cabinet passed the resolution. Now the government will bring a bill to make it a law. These reserved seats will be available for the state and government-run medical colleges as well as for those candidates who want to work for long hours in government centers.
According to preliminary estimates, 450-500 MBBS seats will be determined under this quota. At the same time, the number of these seats will be 300 in post graduation. “This decision has been taken to ensure rural health centers and rural health facilities in hilly or remote areas,” said Dr. T. P. Lahane, Head of Directorate of Medical Education and Research. Students getting seats under the quota will have to sign a bond. There will be a provision for cancellation of the degree along with five years in jail for any violation.
A senior from the Department of Medical Education stated that a similar concept also exists at the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune. According to Maharashtra’s 2018-19 Economic Survey, one doctor is available per 1,330 people in the state, while as per WHO recommendation, there should be one doctor per thousand persons. The ratio is even higher in remote areas of the state such as Gadchiroli. A doctor is present here on more than five thousand people.
Maharashtra govt provides 10-20% MBBS quota for students to serve in the village
