‘Don’t force young doctors to serve in rural areas,’ Prakash Amte’s wisdom
Prakash Baba Amte recently said that young doctors shouldn’t be forced to work in rural areas. Such a statement coming from the Padma Sree and Ramon Magsaysay awardee strikes a chord with the general sentiment of doctors. As per the rules, for those who finish their MBBS course, it’s mandatory to serve in rural areas for an year. The alternative is to pay a penalty.
The point that Baba Amte’s youngest son and social worker made was that the urge to help the rural poor should come from within. Prakash Amte was speaking after he was awarded an honorary D Litt at the 16th convocation of the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences(MUHS).
Prakash Amte, who has dedicated his life to helping the poor and the deprived in tribal regions said, “I can assure you, many youngsters will do it voluntarily if they are given a choice. Making something mandatory by law adds negativity to the act of service, which needs inner inspiration.”
“I travel a lot these days and meet mostly youngsters. They are eager to do something for the underprivileged. This generation is smart. They plan their careers meticulously. If made optional, some youths will serve in rural areas willingly,” he added.
As per him, the patients in rural regions have an emotional bond with the doctors. Coupled with this, the working conditions in such regions give the doctor more freedom, he claims.
Mandatory rural service- not widely lauded
The idea of mandatory rural service for an year is something that has come under opposition from many a medial graduate. The poor quality of infrastructure in many rural areas that deprive both the doctors and the patients is one key reason for discontent.
The fact that the government should have the right set of infrastructure in rural regions to attract doctors to serve in these areas is well acknowledged. However, the apathy continues in this regard.
It is in this context that Prakash Amte’s recent statement looms in significance. Instead of ‘herding’ doctors towards rural regions with the ‘mandatory’ tag, it would be a better idea to let them take the decision for themselves.
With the free-will involved, that’s the more democratic method, surely?