A notice from the health ministry, stating that doctors entering service from 36th BCS onwards will have to spend the first four years in rural areas, has triggered anger and frustration among young doctors.
Senior doctors say that completing post-graduation after the age of 35 is difficult and the new rule will hamper the smooth process of developing skilled physicians.
Making four years’ service mandatory, a new posting guideline for teachers has been declared on Aug 20 last.
The 2.1 clause of the guideline says that after completion of four years at the upazila health complex, doctors will be eligible for posting at zilla hospitals based on vacant posts.
The newly appointed dentists will be posted to upazila health complexes and, after four-year-service, may be posted to district hospitals.
The 2.2 clause of the guideline states that after four years at rural areas doctors will get the chance to pursue MD/MS/FCPS/MPH or similar degrees.
According to rule, 10 percent of teachers of the total posts will not be given long term leave for higher education.
Expressing grievance, young doctor, Marufur Rahman Opu, told Bangla Tribune: “this is being done on the excuse that there aren’t enough doctors in rural areas; if 6-7 thousand doctors are appointed through 37, 38 and 39 BCS then the four year obligatory service is unnecessary.”
The biggest reason why doctors do not want to stay in rural areas is because their pursuit for a higher degree will be impeded.
Instead, the doctors want a chance for higher education first and then 5 to 8 years posting in rural areas.
President of the Health Rights Movement, Dr Rashid e Mahbub, told Bangla Tribune: “the BCS graduation takes almost four years and, if after that, a doctor spends another four years in the rural areas then 8 years are gone.”
After such a long period, it becomes tough to go back to academic studies when someone is 35, he added.
“The new law conflicts with the process in which skilled teachers are made and is dissonant with the health system of the state.”
If this is implemented, then talented teachers will not enter government health service, he added.
“Instead of staying in rural areas, doctors will prefer to go overseas.”