National Medical Council Bill: Indian Medical Association members, doctors observe token strike

COIMBATORE: Indian Medical Association (IMA) members and doctors community on Saturday observed a token strike by closing Out Patient (OP) department and postponing elective surgeries in protest against the National Medical Council (NMC) Bill.

Talking to UNI here, IMA Secretary Dr V Rajesh Babu said that they are against the NMC Bill because out of the 25 members of NMC, only five members are elected members and the representation to the states are unequal.

A member from one state can occupy the seat for two years and the same state cannot have membership for next ten years, he said.

Dr Babu said even the representation from university are denied and it is against the common public.

Allotment of seats in private colleges by the management is increased from 15 per cent to 50 per cent, which affects the poor students, the IMA Secretary added.

He said Bridge course allows other form of medical students to practice allopathy medicine and the Union Government is only the acting body and there is no power to state.

Dr Babu said the IMA's token strike is being held across the country and even after amendment in the bill it is 'Anti-Poor', 'Anti-People' and 'Anti-Federal legislation', besides it is only 'pro-rich'.