Docs oppose govt interference in medical administration, to strike work on June 25

Vijayawada: The members of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) would strike work on June 25 in protest against the government's move to introduce Bills in Parliament that interfere with the medical administration. The IMA special action committee chairman, Dr N Appa Rao, told media persons here on Thursday that the doctors across the country would go on one-day strike in protest against the government's initiative. He said that the government had proposed to introduce the National Commission of Human Resources for Health Bill in Parliament replacing the Medical Council of India. He said that the Bill aims at nominating non-medical professionals and politicians on the Board to monitor the functioning of the health professionals. He said that the proposal does not exist in any other country in the world. He further opposed the National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET) for the medical professionals. He said that the States were following different syllabus at the Intermediate level and holding NEET would deprive students of their due chance at the national-level. He said that the students would have to waste two more years after Intermediate if they have to qualify for the NEET. He said that the IMA opposed this and demanded that the government withdraw the test. Dr Appa Rao also opposed the Bachelor of Rural Medical Care (BRMC) proposed by the government as it would produce inefficient medical professionals. He said that the short term BRMC would have no technical and clinical practice for the candidates and allowing such candidates to handle health care in rural areas would jeopardize the health sector in the country. He said that the IMA also opposed applying the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) to the medical professionals. He wanted the government to exempt doctors from the provisions of the Act giving free hand to the medical professionals. He said that the new legislations proposed by the Central government were also aimed at preventing MBBS candidates to go abroad for specific period, preventing them from appearing for civil services examinations and from taking up professions other than the medical practice. He said that the IMA had already discussed these issues and would launch nation-wide strike against these proposals. The IMA former national president, Dr G Samaram, senior activists, Dr PV Ramana Murthy and Dr V Sridevi were also present at the news conference.