Mandatory Internship in Rural Areas
At present, the Government is not considering any proposal for mandatory internship for medical professionals in rural and remote areas.
Health being a State subject, provision of healthcare facilities falls under the jurisdiction of respective State Governments. However, to encourage doctors working in remote and difficult areas, the MCI with the previous approval of Central Government, has amended the Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2000 to provide :-
(i) 50% reservation in Post Graduate Diploma Courses for Medical Officers in the Government service, who have served for at least three years in remote and difficult areas; and
(ii) Incentive at the rate of 10% the marks obtained for each year in service in remote or difficult areas as upto the maximum of 30% of the marks obtained in the entrance test for admissions in Post Graduate Medical Courses.
Further, under, NHM, financial incentive is also provided to MBBS as well as PG doctors for serving in the rural areas. These incentives are over and above the salaries of the doctors concerned.
The Minister of State (Health and Family Welfare), Sh Faggan Singh Kulaste stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha here today.
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