Shortage of medicos symptomatic of chronic problem

When we look at the small and medium-sized nursing homes, the scarcity is more apparent. The reason: most of the doctors who complete MBBS are interested in pursuing higher education. Immediately after the completion of a course, they want to prepare for the postgraduate entrance examinations or specialisation. Until recently, MBBS doctors, had a long list of examinations - 20-25 of them being conducted across the country. As a result, they have to prepare for a variety of subjects, given the vastness of the syllabus spread over two to three years of study material. Now with the introduction of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) in place, the array of examinations has been replaced by just one. 

On the ground, the actual number of doctors who are ready to take up the post of duty doctors in various facilities is very low. Many are not keen on that at all. Maybe the situation is different at a speciality or a super speciality hospital because the cases would be diverse. There is a greater exposure for the practitioners there, due to the steady flow of specialised cases and treatment. 

Given the low pay scale, for a duty doctor in a medium or small nursing home, he or she cannot reach the pay scale of a specialist doctor, even after years of experience. 

But as long as smaller and medium nursing homes or hospitals continue to thrive, what can be the solution to the problem? A hike in pay scale would impact on the  cost of treatment, which will go up. The burden will be put on the common man. But the facilities have their own limitations and cannot saddle the patients with the burden of hike in consultation and other fees.