The Union Cabinet on Wednesday cleared the health ministry’s proposal to institute a three-year degree programme for public health professionals. The bachelor in community health programme will act as a bridge between auxiliary nurse midwife and a doctor and overrides the objections raised by a parliamentary panel and the Medical Council of India.

The decision will help raise a cadre of public health professionals for rural areas. Sources said the move will help reduce the gap of trained health professionals in rural areas. India has 1 doctor for 1,700 people while the World Health Organization (WHO) mandates a ratio of 1:1000. The rural areas are particularly under-served prompting the health ministry to recommend this new programme.

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