“Medical students in Karnataka should complete 1 year of rural service, effective from the October 2015 batch onwards or forego their degree”, said Minister of State for Medical Education Sharanprakash Patil, who has conveyed a final set of rules for this compulsory service on July 25.

10 takeaways from this important ruling:

1. Earlier doctors could be exempt by paying Rs.1 lakh, the new legislation abolishes escape.
2. Both Government and private colleges to enforce this ruling.
3. 2,500 MBBS & PG students (October 2015) to be first batch under this scheme, followed by April 2016 batch
4. Students opting out of this service, not to receive degree certificates
5. Penalty of up to Rs. 30 lakh for students opting out
6. Rural location to be assigned based on a merit list, followed by counselling
7. Counselling conducted by Commisionerate of Health & Family Welfare
8. Completion certificate of ‘service’ is mandatory to receive degree or diploma certificate
9. Junior doctors in government hospitals can avail salary during rural service
10. Students can avail during the posting-casual leave (12 days) and medical leave (10 days)

While the ruling has sent the medical student community into a flurry, the rural service scheme is going to set the state of Karanataka back by a cool Rs. 300 crore annually. The state however is confident that this would help overcome the healthcare professionals shortage in PHCs across remote locations.

Original Post: Deccan Herald (29/7/15)

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