Punjab set to engage RMPs to combat Covid in rural areas

More than 60,000 RMPs in Punjab have at least an experience of 10 years and they can be engaged for mass awareness. RAMESH KUMAR BALI, an RMPs’ union president

BATHINDA : The Punjab government has decided to rope in registered medical practitioners (RMPs) in its fight against the coronavirus pandemic in rural areas of the state.

Chief secretary Vini Mahajan had on Sunday asked the district administrations and health department officials to chalk out a plan to improve rural outreach across the state.

Officials said RMPs, also referred to as quacks by medical professionals, may prove helpful in convincing residents in villages to get themselves tested for Covid and follow the medical protocol. Punjab has nearly 70,000 RMPs working in cities and rural pockets. The RMPs do not have medical degrees but practice medicine, predominantly in peri-urban and rural areas. “They might be criticised, but the RMPs can play a significant role a time when the pandemic has spread aggressively in rural pockets,” said a senior health official.

Mansa was the first district to engage RMPs to contain the spread of virus in villages.

Bathinda DC B Srinivasan said a special outreach drive with RMPs on board will commence in the district from Wednesday.

“The RMPs will be members of a group of health workers contacting residents in the rural belts. They will not treat any patient but will take stock of health condition of people and report to the health authorities for further action,” he added.

In the predominantly rural belt of south Malwa districts, there has been a spurt of infections and mortalities. On Monday, Fazilka had 10 villages declared as containment zone.

Fazilka civil surgeon Parminder Singh said the health teams will be strengthened by engaging RMPs. “People in villages hesitate in sharing their health status with officials but they feel comfortable with RMPs. They share a bonding with these practitioners and we can make use of their relationship in enhancing health surveillance effectively,” he said.

Ramesh Kumar Bali, president of the Medical Practitioners Association of Punjab, said he recently discussed the issue of roping in RMPs with health minister Balbir Singh Sidhu and the CM’s adviser Sandeep Sandhu.