National medical commission bill: IMA calls for indefinite strike from April 2
NEW DELHI: Rejecting recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on National Medical Commission Bill, the Indian Medical Association, the largest body of private doctors in India, on Sunday called for an indefinite strike from April 2. More than 25,000 doctors held a 'mahapanchayat' in Delhi and opposed the parliament panel's recommendations and the bill.
The NMC bill proposes to allow practitioners of alternative medicines —homoeopathy and Ayurveda — to practice modern medicine once they complete a ‘bridge course.’ It also proposes that the National Licentiate Examination be made compulsory for any MBBS doctor, including a foreign graduate, to make them eligible to practice medicine. The panel has recommended that the bridge course not be made a mandatory provision. It has also suggested to integrate the NLE with the final year MBBS exam. The doctors say the panel's suggestions are “deceptive.”
IMA national president Ravi Wankhedkar said all medical students and doctors will go on an indefinite strike on April 2. He said there was no need for any law if the government wanted to boost only AYUSH, homoeopathy, pharmacists and dentists. “The PSC report is deceptive to such an extent that it will open the floodgates to allow back-door entry to cross-pathy, thereby promoting quackery legally. Even after cosmetic amendments, core issues still remain where it is.” Declaring hospitals “safe zones” was one of the issues discussed at the mahapanchayat.
Vinay Aggarwal, coordinator of the mahapanchayat, emphasized on the issue of violence against doctors and insisted that the “problems faced by doctors are enough, now it's time to payback”. People should understand the meaning of medical negligence and that a doctor never intends to perform a wrong surgery, IMA said.
The NMC bill proposes to allow practitioners of alternative medicines —homoeopathy and Ayurveda — to practice modern medicine once they complete a ‘bridge course.’ It also proposes that the National Licentiate Examination be made compulsory for any MBBS doctor, including a foreign graduate, to make them eligible to practice medicine. The panel has recommended that the bridge course not be made a mandatory provision. It has also suggested to integrate the NLE with the final year MBBS exam. The doctors say the panel's suggestions are “deceptive.”
IMA national president Ravi Wankhedkar said all medical students and doctors will go on an indefinite strike on April 2. He said there was no need for any law if the government wanted to boost only AYUSH, homoeopathy, pharmacists and dentists. “The PSC report is deceptive to such an extent that it will open the floodgates to allow back-door entry to cross-pathy, thereby promoting quackery legally. Even after cosmetic amendments, core issues still remain where it is.” Declaring hospitals “safe zones” was one of the issues discussed at the mahapanchayat.
Vinay Aggarwal, coordinator of the mahapanchayat, emphasized on the issue of violence against doctors and insisted that the “problems faced by doctors are enough, now it's time to payback”. People should understand the meaning of medical negligence and that a doctor never intends to perform a wrong surgery, IMA said.
Our comments section is governed by our Comments Policy . By posting comments at Medical Dialogues you automatically agree with our Comments Policy , Terms And Conditions and Privacy Policy .
Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.
NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.