Radiologists defer strike for three months after government assurances

Dr OP Bansal, President IRIA said, " Keeping in view the majority of state chapters, Central Council Members and discussion amongst IRIA Central Office Bearers, it has been decided to defer the strike for three months from 3rd September, 2016 and we will keep pursuing the issues by meeting with the officials of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to get the amendments done/rules changed as per their assurance in a stipulated period of two to three months. If there is no positive development from the Central Supervisory Board and Health Ministry, we shall continue our agitation. We will also put this matter in November Central Council Meeting for further propagation of the cause."

"We thank each and every member of IRIA for showing unity, solidarity and strength shown during the agitation to force the authorities to consider our demands in stipulated period of two to three months," added Dr Bansal

Currently the Act, which was put in place to curb the menace of growing female foeticide in the country, has been plagued by the non- uniform implementation, often leading to unnecessary harassment and prosecution of medical practitioners, on even minor clerical errors. Moreover, within the purview of the act, major powers are given to district authorities, who in the absence of set guidelines/ SOPs, interpret the law differently. IRIA had strongly opposed this asking for uniform implementation of the Act.