How will the Mission address the issues of absentee doctors in rural areas?
Availability of doctors and paramedics in rural areas is important to the success of the Mission. The States will examine the possibility and modalities for having district level cadres for doctors and Block level cadres for ANMs as resolved in the 7th Conference of the Central Council of Health & Family Welfare Ministers, in August 2003. The District Health Missions will have greater flexibility for engaging the services of private doctors on contractual basis to provide services in public health institutions. Most importantly, the States shall indicate their commitment to devolve the funds and programmes for health and family welfare to Panchayati Raj Institutions under the NRHM, to ensure effective accountability of the public health providers at corresponding levels. The Mission also proposes to involve Professional Medical Associations viz. Indian Medical Association (IMA), Federation of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of India (FOGSI) etc. to build peer and professional support
