NMC Bill Protest: IMA calls off Nationwide Strike due to various reasons

New Delhi: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called off its nationwide strike opposing the National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill considering the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir, heavy flood situation in North East, Karnataka, Maharashtra and other parts of the country and the demise of former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

Informing about the same, the association issued an official statement saying, "IMA emergency action committee had proclaimed on Sunday a nationwide withdrawal of services on Thursday 8th August 2019. In view of the certain clarifications and assurances given by him and considering the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir, heavy flood situation in North East, Karnataka, Maharashtra and other parts of the country as well as untimely sad demise of former Union Health Minister, Mrs. Sushma Swaraj and the need for further dialogue and creating awareness about hazards of certain provisions of NMC, IMA defers its call for withdrawal of services to a later date of choice."

Medical students and Resident Doctors are on the warpath. A delegation of IMA under the leadership of IMA National President, Dr Santanu Sen along with other senior leaders, medical student representatives and junior doctors met with Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, the IMA stated.

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IMA also appealed to the President to withhold assent to the Bill until the dangers to the health of the nation accruing from several sections are adequately addressed. It said it has faith in the judiciary in correcting the aberrations in this "black law".

"IMA supports the medical students and Resident Doctors and will continue to add momentum to the movement till justice is rendered. IMA has decided an aggressive public campaign against section 32, 50 and 51 which legitimises quackery and promotes crosspathy, section 10.1.i on capping of fee in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education on section 15 the lingering uncertainty of the career of medical students and section 29.3 and 28.7 on quality of medical education," read the official release.

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"The struggle of IMA against the deleterious clauses of NMC Bill 2019 will continue till the medical education and the health of the nation are out of harm's way. IMA will consult with all the stakeholders especially the medical students and resident doctors on further course of action," the statement added.

The IMA further thanked all their counterparts and doctors' associations who showed solidarity in their protest against the NMC bill.