Rural posting must for medicos

From the academic year 2015-16, MBBS students applying for admission to post-graduate medical courses will have to undertake a mandatory one year rural posting at a primary health centre (PHC).This is in keeping with amendments to the Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2000 which have been approved by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Minister of Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha said that there is a shortfall of 2,489 doctors in PHCs. There are 3,459 surgeons, 3,005 obstericians and gynaecologists, 3,667 physicians, 3,270 paediatricians and a total of 13,477 specialists in community health centres across India as on March 31, 2012. Medical students have opposed it saying the period be part of their internship.