MCI Approves The 3 And Half Year Medical Course

The MCI- Medical Council of India has finally approved a medical course of duration 3-and-a-half year medical course for candidates who opt for medical education after completion of class 12. MCI Board Chairman Dr.KK Talwar said "This special infrastructure of health workers will be trained mainly in district hospitals, be placed in sub-centres or primary health centres and will be taught some module of clinical work".

This programme means that this infrastructure can actually diagnose and treat basic medical cases, get involved in immunization programmes and administer extended first aid. "We intend to introduce the course from April next year. This infrastructure will also refer patients according to their conditions to other centres. We have also prepared the syllabus of the course. The ministry will now take up the final call", said Talwar.

The ministry of Health has been strongly pushing for the introduction of this infrastructure, in order to tackle the hazard of doctors unwilling to serve in rural areas. Only 26% of doctors in India reside in rural areas, serving 72% of India's population. However, the urban density of doctors is nearly four times that of rural areas, and that of nurse is three times higher.

Gulam Nabi Azad the Health Minister had earlier said that he wanted an MCI stamp on the degree so that it was universally recognized. He had said that "The syllabus of the course is also ready and is need-based. If MCI endorses it, students will get that the degree has a standing".

However, the committee was clear that the course was not as the MBBS but rather a unique training programme aimed at the basic health care needs of its target population.