Say no to diploma-holding doctors in WB

Source Link/URL:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/no-to-diploma-holding-doctors-in-WB

Govt plans to bring back diploma docs for villages - Kolkata ... Times of India, November 25 2009

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Govt-plans-to-bring-back-diploma-docs-for-villages/articleshow/5265887.cms

Docs, Cong slam Bill on 3-yr medical diploma course Indian Express, Friday, Dec 04, 2009

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/docs-cong-slam-bill-on-3yr-medical-diploma-course/549836/0

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/docs-cong-slam-bill-on-3yr-medical-diploma-course/549836/

Desperate to address manpower crunch in the rural healthcare system, the West Bengal state government has apparently decided to resurrect the 'barefoot doctors' of the early '80s in a new avatar through the West Bengal Rural Health Regulatory Authority Bill 2009.

The West Bengal government's move to table a Bill to allow for a three-year medical diploma course in Bengal in the winter session of the state Assembly has failed to find favour with doctors who say it must not be an alternative to a four-year-MBBS degree.

Once the regulatory authority is set up, it will pave the way for institutes that will train and issue diplomas to rural health practitioners.

During the '80s experiment, the diploma-holding 'doctors' had faced stiff opposition from the medical community. The latest bill, which will be introduced in the Assembly this Winter Session, is also likely to kick up a ruckus. Congress and Trinamool are ready to oppose it. As in the '80s, the medical community is again prepared to take on the government.

Eligible to practice in rural areas, rural health practitioners will treat patients and prescribe medicines according to a standard treatment guideline to be handed to them. They will also carry out minor surgeries and issue illness and death certificates.

Doctors have raised their voices against the move. The Medical Council of India doesn't recognise the diploma, neither does the West Bengal Medical Council. The state health department has cited the instance of Assam, where similar legislation was enacted in 2004.

Recently, some IMA members met Trinamool MLA Aroop Biswas, a member of the Assembly's standing committee on health, and stated their objections. Objections have been raised on the usage of the term rural health practitioner and also granting them permission to issue death certificates.

The Bill discriminates between urban and rural areas. Why should there be two sets of doctors for urban and rural areas?

The proposed diploma course was "unscientific and detrimental".

Since this diploma will not be recognised by the Medical Council of India, they cannot write 'doctors' before their names and will not be allowed to hand out death certificates.

How can the state government send people without MBBS degrees to villages to treat locals?

This course will be illegal as it will not even have the recognition by the Medical Council of India (MCI).

How can a person treat a patient without even the recognition from the MCI?

There are enough village quacks...why does the state government want to increase their ranks?

The Central government is already planning to address the issue of inadequate doctors in the rural sector.

The central government is planning to introduce a Bill in the coming session of Parliament which will make it mandatory for all the MBBS pass-outs to serve in villages before they take up post-graduation.

This petition's been addressed to the Union MOHFW / Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Honble Guv/Governor of West Bengal / WB, Honble Chief Minister / CM of West Bengal / WB, Medical Council of India / MCI, West Bengal Medical Council / WBMC & Indian Medical Association / IMA.