Belgaum: With the idea to create hope for the rural health services, heath minister U T Khadar has made an initiation wherein he has decided to introduce the central government’s three-year BSc in health service training courses, across the state for students who have completed PUC.

U T Khadar explained that by offering community health service course, the government can provide primary health service to people living in rural areas.

The union cabinet in its meeting held on November 13 had approved the introduction of a three-year BSc course which would train students in district hospitals and post them in primary health centres. Those holding this degree would be able to diagnose and handle basic medical cases.

It is learnt that MBBS graduates have been relinquishing rural health service, even though they are penalized.

U T Khadar said, “MBBS graduates who obtain seats under government quota later decline from serving in rural areas by paying penalty. In this regard, a new law will be enforced, for which the President’s nod is required. Hence, I will soon meet the President and request him to accept the proposal.”

Around 1,654 MBBS students had accepted rural service but only 284 took it up. A fine of Rs 11.59 crore has been collected from the 1,159 doctors who declined from undertaking rural service; the government has also decided to increase the penalty for forgoing rural service from Rs one lac to Rs 10 lac.