The proposal for compulsory rural posting of doctors after completing their MBBS would be implemented from next year, Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said here today.
Speaking at a press conference here, after a meeting of the Central Council of Health and Family Welfare, Ramadoss said, it was done in an effort to augment health facilities in rural areas.
"The proposal has been cleared by all the states on Friday and would be implemented from next year," he said. The provision entails a mandatory rural posting of doctors who have completed their MBBS and want to pursue post-graduate studies in medicine.
The proposal had run into much controversy with medical students protesting over the lengthening of the course.
The one-year rural posting will include serving at the district headquarters for four months, community health centres for another four months and the primary health centres for the remaining four months.