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MUMBAI, April 15 (IANS) – In a significant move to bolster healthcare services in rural Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has championed a new initiative leveraging voluntary medical contributions. Announced on Tuesday, the plan encourages registered medical professionals to offer their services in villages by rewarding them with Continuing Medical Education (CME) credit points, essential for their license renewal.
Addressing the often-limited access to adequate healthcare faced by rural citizens due to financial constraints, Chief Minister Fadnavis highlighted the importance of voluntary participation. He directed the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) to integrate this voluntary service into the CME system, aiming to bring quality medical care to underserved populations.
Following the Chief Minister’s directive, the MMC has implemented key changes. Currently, the approximately two lakh medical professionals registered with the Council must renew their licenses every five years. This renewal requires earning a set number of credit points, traditionally obtained through academic conferences and training programs. Now, doctors volunteering in rural areas – participating in free medical camps, performing surgeries, or engaging in other social health initiatives – will also earn these crucial points.
Officials noted the dual benefit of this system. “Young doctors will gain valuable exposure to rural health issues, while urban doctors can conduct research and provide scientific analysis on the healthcare challenges in remote areas,” an official stated. He added that while many doctors already volunteer their time, this system provides formal recognition and encourages wider participation.
Under the revised CME guidelines, doctors will receive one credit point for every three hours of voluntary work in rural medical or surgical camps, and two credit points for six hours of service.
The state’s rural health service network is extensive, involving approximately 4,500 hospitals, including facilities under the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, charitable trusts, and government medical colleges. Coordination efforts by the Chief Minister’s Relief Cell, the Charity Commissioner, and the National Health Mission have already resulted in over 9,500 community health camps being organized.
It is estimated that nearly half of the state’s registered doctors already contribute to these rural health initiatives, supporting Chief Minister Fadnavis’ broader mission to strengthen healthcare access at the grassroots level.
Disclaimer: This news article is based solely on the information provided in the text dated April 15th. It has not been independently verified or updated beyond the source material.
