Nalgonda: Medical services crippled as docs take up cudgels against 'draconian' National Medical Council Bill

Nalgonda: Continuing their protest against the National Medical Council Bill, the members of Indian Medical Association of Neelagiri branch have called for 24-hour suspension of all medical services on Thursday as part of Vydya Garjana.

This is the second time that the bandh is observed in response to the call given by the IMA. As part of their protest, doctors assembled at IMA building and discussed the NMC Bill and its draconian sections against medical profession and medical services.

Speaking on NMC Bill, IMA Neelagiri branch president Dr Pulla Rao said that poor people in sub-centres of Primary Health Centres would be at the mercy of community health providers who would be trained for only six months. "With their limited knowledge, these health providers will play with the lives of poor people," he said.

Dr PVN Murthy, Secretary, IMA asked when entire medical community has been agitating against the Bill, how could the government proceed with the Bill?

Dr Jayaprakash Reddy, State Council Member, IMA said when medical university was conducting examinations for four years where is the necessity for all India final MBBS examination? He further added that they cannot agitate like trade unions creating disturbances on the street as they are well-behaved and service-oriented professionals. "The government is taking us granted which is most unfortunate," he said.

"When students study with hard work for four-and-a-half years with one-year internship, how can trainees who study the course for six months equal them? Is it not injustice to rural people?" Dr Vasantha Kumari questioned.

Dr Raghavender Reddy, Pulmonologist, said with the misuse of drugs by quacks and unqualified people, there have been many cases of kidney diseases and heart failures. "Pain killers, steroids are used indiscriminately by the quacks. With overuse of antibiotics people are developing resistance to drugs. Who will control them?" he asked.

Young doctors spoke against the Bill as it was neither people-friendly nor doctor-friendly. They also condemned the police attack on a medico in Vijayawada.

Meanwhile, the doctors expressed their deep regret for the inconvenience caused to the people due to frequent strikes.