June 6: IMA to hold protest march against atrocities faced by docs

The association would also launch a signature campaign on the issue on social media and has urged all doctors to collect thousands of signatures which would be sent to the Centre seeking action.

"The medical profession is facing the most difficult time of the era. Both doctors and patients have to understand that the doctor-patient relationship is a sacred one and that the dignity of the profession should be maintained.

"It is after having decided that enough is enough that the IMA has given this clarion call, Dilli Chalo," K K Aggarwal, national president of the IMA, said.

A 'pen-down satyagraha' would be observed by all doctors across India as no doctor would give any prescriptions for one hour between 10 and 11 am on June 6.

The movement aims to address demands of the medical fraternity, which include a stringent central act against violence, single-window accountability with no criminal charges on doctors without intent to harm a patient and single-window registration of doctors and medical establishments.

It also sought safeguarding of professional autonomy by amending the Indian Medical Council Act instead of bringing national medical commission, and reimbursement of all emergency services in private sector for people who cannot afford treatment among others.