Move to give certificate to RMPs, PMPs irks doctors

On the lines of AP the TS government is also thinking of providing certificate courses to RMPs and PMPs and this has been strongly opposed by the Telangana unit of the Indian Medical Association and the Junior Doctors Association.

The proposal was discussed by senior officials in the health and family welfare department as there are hardly any doctors in remote areas. The government is considering training RMPs to provide medical care.

The IMA has strongly opposed the proposal to operate community paramedics and first aid centres in rural areas with RMPs and PMPs.

Dr Narsinga Reddy, president of IMA said, “The IMA strongly opposes this. Giving certificates to unqualified people will harm the patient. We need a scientific system which only qualified doctors can provide. We can’t have an unqualified doctor treating a patient as specialists have to correct their mistakes.”

According to a study carried out by Centre for Economic and Social Studies, in Telangna there are 12 RMPs per 10,000 population in rural areas and urban slums. The socio-economic study found that most of them have only 12 years of education. They are the first contact in medical emergencies for people in rural areas and slums.

Another senior doctor said, “The RMPs are treating patients illegally but there is no action against them. There are innumerable cases of wrong diagnosis and medication. Instead of recruiting qualified doctors training RMPs will create havoc.”

Senior IMA doctors said that it has been wrongly made out that doctors are not willing to work in rural areas. The public health centres, area and district hospitals and teaching hospitals in semi-urban areas have qualified doctors.