Hospital Ops Affected In Some States As Doctors Strike Over New Law

The Indian Medical Association, which has 2.77 lakh members, has termed the Bill as anti-poor and anti-people, and said it makes the system prone to corruption

All India | Edited by | Updated: January 02, 2018 11:23 IST
Hospital Ops Affected In Some States As Doctors Strike Over New Law

Services at government hospitals won't be affected, but the doctors will wear black arm bands in protest.

New Delhi:  The outpatient department (OPD) services at private hospitals across the country will be affected today after the Indian Medical Association (IMA) called for a 12-hour shutdown to protest what it describes as the "anti-people and anti-patient" National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill, 2017, that seeks to replace the Medical Council of India (MCI).

The Ministry of Health issued an advisory asking all necessary measures to be taken to ensure patient healthcare and emergency services to run smoothly.

NDTV has learnt through sources at Max Hospital that doctors who wish to protest can do so between 9 am and 2 pm and patients will be attended by the available doctors. "We are not turning away patients from our OPD, but yes we are stretched thin today as some doctors are going ahead with the strike," said a senior doctor at Max Healthcare.

While services at government hospitals will not be affected, the doctors will observe a 'Black Day' and wear black arm bands as they see patients. Dr Vivek Chouksey, President Federation of Resident Doctors Association, said, "It is a bill that the politicians are trying to push through and we are against it but we also don't want patients to suffer. So, our OPD services will go on as per routine but we are wearing a black band in protest."

The IMA, which has 2.77 lakh members, has termed the Bill as anti-poor and anti-people, and said it makes the system prone to corruption. It has demanded amendments in the Bill which was tabled in the Lok Sabha on Friday and will come up in Lok Sabha for discussion today.

"The IMA strongly opposes this Bill and has no option but to take the issues to our patients and the people. To register our protest, routine medical services like OPD and elective surgeries across the country have been withdrawn between 6 am and 6 pm at our member hospitals and health institutions," national president Ravi  Wankhede had told news agency IANS.

The Bill purported to eradicate corruption, the IMA alleges, is "designed to open the floodgates of corruption".

NMC is an anti-poor bill with pro-private management clause, it claimed and added, "The bill allows ayurvedic as well as homeopathic doctors to practice allopathy after a six-month bridge course."

"Unscientific mixing of systems and empowering of other practitioners through bridge courses will only pave the way for substandard doctors and substandard medical practice. This will seriously impact patient care and patient safety," said the association.

The IMA has the following demands:
  • One elected representative in NMC from the Registered Medical Graduates of every state and no separate registration for AYUSH.
  • The minimum qualification to practice modern medicine shall remain MBBS. No bridge courses to MBBS.
  • IMA will facilitate deployment of 65,000 fresh MBBS graduates graduating every year in Rural Health Services with appropriate working conditions and incentives.
  • No licentiate exam after final MBBS examination. IMA proposes common All India Final MBBS examination.
  • As the new Bill proposes to do away with permissions needed to start a medical college, allowing private medical colleges to increase undergraduate and postgraduate seats on their own, the IMA wants legitimate inspection and appropriate regulation to run a medical college.
  • The bill allows private medical colleges to decide the fee for 60 per cent of their seats, previously it was 15 per cent. This will increase the cost of medical education.