The Health Ministry proposal to introduce a short-term rural medical course to tide over the shortage of doctors in the rural areas has hit a roadblock with the Indian Medical Association opposing the plan and the government asking Medical Council of India to consult all stake-holders and take note of concerns from different quarters.

Besides, the Health Ministry is also seized with the matter that though two States introduced similar course and one had to be discontinued following litigation. The proposal has been kept in abeyance, though the MCI has been asked to prepare the final proposal in this regard, sources said, "MCI has already held consultations with stakeholders to finalise the plan. The Centre will take a decision only based on the report from the Council," sources added.

In order to tackle acute shortage of doctors in rural areas, the Government has been exploring various options for some time. One of which is to introduce a short term rural medical course. The proposed course is of four-years duration which includes six-months of internship and especially designed for those who have completed their schooling and passed their qualifying examination from a 'notified rural area' in the district. The course is proposed to be conducted in the district hospitals where there is no medical college. On acquiring this qualification, the candidates can serve in the rural areas only in that State.

The State of Assam and Chhattisgarh have introduced the short term rural medical course in the recent past through their State Legislations. While in Assam the course is continuing, in Chhattisgarh the same has been discontinued on account of litigation. The Centre is also wary of such litigation in the face of opposition from different sections.

The IMA has already on record registered its apprehensions on the proposal for this Bachelor of Rural Medicine and Surgery (BRMS). "All concerns including those expressed by Indian Medical Association will be considered by Central Government before finalizing the proposal," official sources said.