The health services in Australia’s Townsville will be revolutionized after a A$ 3 million federal grant which was given to the James Cook University (JCU). A rural medical school has also been announced by Tony Abbott, the Health Minister, at JCU. The University’s new clinic will cost A$ 3 million, and permit students to study in Atherton, Cairns, and Mackay. This will serve to give them experience with regard medicine in remote and rural communities. There are greater chances of the country-trained doctors setting up their practice in rural and regional areas.
This is a part of the initiative of the Government to raise the level of rural training across the country’s universities. The visit of the Minister coincided with the first medical class graduation ceremony of the JCU. The country has 11 rural clinical schools. The health services in Queensland reportedly still has a long way to go before gaining the confidence of the public. The JCU medical school is the country’s only regional institution, and it is seeking more Government funding for its research and teaching activities.
