MUMBAI: The state is toying with the idea of introducing medical diploma courses tailored for rural needs.

The directorate of medical education and research recently asked the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC), a quasi-judicial body governing the quality of medical education and medical ethics, about the viability of such courses. The MMC has conveyed that such courses may be the best way to ensure that rural hospitals have adequate manpower round-the-clock. “Basically, these doctors will earn a diploma while working in rural areas,” said MMC president Dr Kishore Taori. The new course will be open to only MBBS students. “Selection for the course will be done through Maharashtra Common Entrance Test,” Dr Taori said. The new courses will mainly focus on infant and maternal care.

