IMA-Kerala to create pool of doctors for rural service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala unit of the India Medical Association has decided to create a pool of doctors who are willing to work in remote areas of other states. The initial plan is to create a pool of 200 doctors.

The Union health ministry has urged the support of the IMA to create a pool of doctors who are willing to work in backward areas of northern states. The request has come personally from the Union health minster in the wake of severe shortage of doctors in rural areas , said Dr N Sulphi, state secretary of IMA.

The Union health ministry has noted that southern states, especially Kerala, are having excess number of doctors.

“Hence, in a national coordination committee convened by Union health ministry, a request to create a pool of doctors in Kerala was put forward by the Union health minister," Dr Sulphi said.

A meeting of state office-bearers of the IMA decided to request young fresh graduates who are willing to work in the rural areas to be part of this.

The IMA has decided to create a data bank of these doctors and send it to the Union health ministry.