Doctors Governing Doctors: Why Indian Medical Service is need of the hour

There seems to be a perpetual call from the medical fraternity for creation of the Indian Medical Services (IMS) for quite some time. Demands state that The IMS would be organized along the lines of the All India civil services, such as the IAS, IPS, and IFS. Conditions for posting, recruitment and other aspects of the terms of service may be comparable to those that apply to the IAS and IPS. Stressing on doctors managing doctors, the demand envisages that the entrance test for IMS should require MBBS as a prerequisite for eligibility, and it can be administered similarly to other UPSC exams. The opinions of the parliamentary panel are in line with those of IMA and FORDA, who have long called for the establishment of such a specialized service. Although the government is aware of the problem, little has been accomplished so far in this regard. The Covid-19 pandemic's issues have now rekindled the medical community's need for the formation of a distinct cadre.

Joining us in Today's Episode of Health Perspective, is Dr. J A Jayalal, is the former national president of the Indian Medical Association & professor of surgery at Tirunelveli Medical College.

Also joining is Dr. Aviral Mathur (MBBS [MAMC], MD Anesthesia [MAMC]) currently serving as President of FORDA and RDA MAMC as well as Senior Resident at MAMC and Lok Nayak Hospital in Delhi.