Minister of State for Medical Education Sharan Prakash Patil has strongly justified the government’s decision of one year rural posting for medical students who passed out from government medical colleges and who studied under government quota.
Speaking at the fourth graduation day of Raichur Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) here on Friday evening, the Minister attempted to convince the medical graduates on the decision by reminding them of their social responsibility.
“In essence, society has financially sponsored your medical study through the government and you should give back. There is no dearth of medical colleges in the State. Over 6,000 students graduate as doctors in the State every year. Yet, our Primary Health Centres at rural areas are suffering with shortage of doctors. You should understand the fact that it was with the tax-payers’ money that you became doctors and you have to repay to them in one way or the other,” he said.
Senior surgical oncologist Padma Shri Kodaganur S. Gopinath, who was the guest of honour, raised the same issue.
“Always remember and read the oath you have taken today and adhere to it throughout your professional career. Don’t allow arrogance to develop in you, but work hard to develop the medical science itself. It is a noblest profession. Rural posting is not something bad. It is an important field to learn from rural patients. You can use your time in rural area as best learning field,” he said.
Dr. Patil said that his government wanted to increase the number of postgraduate medical seats in the State for meeting growing demand.
He also revealed that the government was trying to the Union Government and Medical Council of India to relax norms for opening medical colleges.
