COMMUNITY MEDICAL SERVICE AND ESSENTIAL DRUGS (CMS & ED)
The CMS & ED (Community Medical Service and Essential Drugs) course is a specialized 18-month diploma program designed to address the shortage of qualified healthcare professionals in rural India. It empowers practitioners, including compounders, rural medical practitioners (RMPs), and assistants, to provide primary healthcare using essential allopathic medicines approved by the World Health Organization (WHO).
🩺 Why Was the CMS & ED Course Started?
The initiative was launched to bridge the healthcare gap in underserved rural areas where qualified doctors are scarce. Recognizing the critical need for accessible healthcare, the Supreme Court of India, in a 2002 ruling, authorized CMS & ED diploma holders to prescribe allopathic medications for various ailments, including infectious diseases. This legal endorsement allows holders to operate primary health centers, prescribe medications, and contribute significantly to community health.
🎓 Course Overview
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Duration: 18 months, divided into three semesters.
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Eligibility: Minimum of 10th-grade education; suitable for compounders, RMPs, and healthcare assistants.
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Mode: Classes typically with options for online or offline study .
🌟 Career Opportunities Post-CMS & ED
Upon completion, graduates can pursue various roles, including:
- Community Health Worker
- Rural Medical Officer
- Primary Healthcare Provider
- Assistant Pharmacist
- Dietician
- Psychologist (with additional qualifications)
- General Physician