Government today said it has taken a number of measures for improvement of rural healthcare services in the country and was committed to introduce the Bachelor of Rural Health Care (BRHC) course with inbuilt safeguards.

Replying to a written question in Lok Sabha on improving rural healthcare scenario, health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said the BRHC course will help address shortage of human resources in the sector in rural areas.

While providing financial support in rural areas under National Rural Health Mission for engagement of staff on contractual basis, government has also amended Postgraduate Medical Education Regulations to encourage doctors to serve in rural areas by giving 50 per cent reservation in PG diploma courses for medical officers in government service.

The Indian Medical Association, which has opposed the proposal of the three-and-half year BRHC course, has suggested measures like increasing retirement age to 65 or allowing post–retirement re–employment of doctors on attractive salary and incentives in rural areas only, he said.

The IMA, he said, has also suggested compulsory working of doctors for one year in rural areas before permanent registration by Medical Council of India and reservation of post graduate admission for doctors who have served in rural areas.

Besides it has also suggested opening of more medical colleges in rural areas by allowing public–private partnership and giving incentives and attractive salaries and allowances for those working in remote areas.