Legal action against doctors for skipping rural service

The Karnataka government has decided to crack the whip against as many as 688 doctors, who skipped the one-year mandatory government service. The government on Saturday said that legal action would be initiated against 661 specialist doctors and 27 MBBS graduates for non-compliance with the terms of the agreement they signed at the time of admission.

Principal secretary for the health and family welfare department Shalini Rajneesh said, “Specialist doctors have to work at taluk hospitals and community health centres operated by the government for one year, as per the agreement.But they have been ignoring reminders we have sent to them, as a result of which legal action has been initiated.”

7.23 If a physician posted in rural area is found absent on more than two occasions during inspection by the Head of the District Health Authority or the Chairman, Zila Parishad, the same shall be construed as a misconduct if it is recommended to the Medical Council of India/State Medical Council by the State Government for action under these Regulations.

Source: TOI

Do you think it is fair to impose rural service for only doctors on the point that govt. is spending a lot on medical education, whereas govt. spend equally or even more for IIT and other education? Post your opinion in comments.