Dr R V Asokan is a member of the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group (STAG) to the World Health Organisation and also a member of the central working committee of the Indian Medical Association. He was earlier IMA's national coordinator for tuberculosis programme. 

The health ministry is all set to launch a three-and-a-half-year bachelor degree in rural medicien. Students graduating from this course will serve in the community health centres and the district hospitals in their respective areas. Asokan talks about the repercussions of this policy if implemented across India.