For the first time, Indian Medical Association (IMA) representatives have come out with a health manifesto which focuses on improving public health facilities in rural areas, reducing out of pocket health expenditure and promoting medical research.
On the sidelines of a press conference here on Wednesday, Dr B. Pratap Reddy, president of IMA-Telangana State, said the manifesto was prepared based on feedback about healthcare workshops conducted across the country.
Discussing the GDP share in health care, association members stated through the manifesto that it must be increased from 1.2% to 2.5% by five years, and priority must be given to primary and preventive health, social determinants of health and medical education.
“One sub centre for every 10,000 population in urban and semi urban areas and 5,000 in rural areas. Improve infrastructure and total manpower in sub centres,” demanded the IMA members in the manifesto under ‘primary healthcare and rural healthcare’ segment.
It also focuses on safe work environment for doctors, shortage of modern medicine doctors in rural and tribal areas etc.
Honorary State secretary of IMA-Telangana State Dr Sajeev Singh Yadav said if safe drinking water is provided, the issue of open drainage system is addressed and other basic amenities are extended, the number of communicable and non-communicable diseases will come down, thereby reducing people’s expenditure on health.
The IMA members said the manifesto was submitted to Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Doctors Cell and that it would be given to other parties with the hope that their proposals are implemented.