Doctors’ protest against BRMS is unwarranted

A sudden love by doctors towards rural folks emerged as the Union Government made an attempt to start Bachelor of Rural Medicine and Surgery (BRMS) course to resolve the problem of health care in rural areas. Doctors belonging to IMA and KGMCTA say that the move for short-duration medical course would lead to a situation where the rural folks would be getting only low quality medical treatment. On hearing this one may feel to think that now the rural folks are getting better treatment from them. In fact not even a single doctor in Kerala finds pleasure in treating the rural and the poor people. They often try to get transfer to Trivandrum or Kozhikkode medical colleges where income is much higher than Alappuzha and other places.

The doctors’ argument that the move would create two kinds of healthcare systems is unfounded. It is good for people to get even a second rate treatment than denying them any treatment.

Actual reason for the fright of agitating doctors is that they would lose a little of their income if rural people get treatment at their own place. Moreover doctors’ brute force to paralyze the entire medical system will slightly be lessened. Government decision to come out with BRMS course is, therefore, a welcome move and all sensible persons, especially the villagers, should welcome it whole-heartedly.

K A Solaman