Eminent surgeon Dr Sahajanand Prasad Singh takes charge as new national president of IMA

Dr Singh also served as the President of the Bihar Chapter of the Indian Medical Association. He completed his MBBS from Nalanda Medical College, Patna (MU) Bihar and MS (Gen Surg) from L.L.R.M. Medical College, Meerut. He is also a FIAMS and an FCGP also. He worked as a Lecturer, Surgery at PMCH Patna. He was also employed asst. Professor, Department of Surgery, VIMS Pawapuri. He also served as the HOD, Dept. of General Surgery, VIMS, Pawapuri, Nalanda (Bihar). He was appointed as the Medical Superintendent, ESI Hospital, Phulwarisharif for 1988-2001

He is an exemplary Surgeon with social ramifications having compassion towards underprivileged sections of society. He made a brilliant impact by hosting all India IMA Conference in 2006 with astounding success reflecting his organizational capabilities. He bagged the best IMA Secretary and President Appreciation Award. He was the Organising Secretary of 18 National Health Mela organized by the Government of India catering free medical services to the ailing poor and hapless patients.

As Ex-president of Lion Maurya Club, he was instrumental in organizing relief and awareness camps. He also served as Registrar, Bihar Council of Medical Registration, and a member of the Medical Council of India. As President of IMA Bihar, he was responsible for refurbishing the image of IMA in this state. He has received Dr. B. C. Roy National Award 2017 for outstanding service in the field of Socio-Medical Relief.

He received a bunch of other prestigious awards for his achievements in the medical field including the Chikitsa Ratna Award in 2006, Bharat Jyoti Award in 2009, and Global Excellence Award 2019 for Healthcare Services in Bihar.

When questioned about the areas where IMA is going to focus now, Dr. Sahajanand Prasad told Medical Dialogues, " It is extremely important to ensure that patients, as well as doctors, maintain the government imposed COVID protocols. I, as the president of IMA, would take steps to help poor and needy patients. If all the hospitals can manage to attend 5 patients for free on daily basis, it will be possible to extend necessary healthcare to the needy. Doctors should voluntarily serve in rural areas. If big Hospitals and recognized doctors take care of 5 villages and can at least arrange visits of doctors to the villages once or twice a month, many needy and poor will get proper healthcare."

Sharing one of his experiences, he added, " In 1987, as a Hony. Joint Secretary of IMA Bihar and associated with Abhiyan Tika Pratirakshan, Patna in four phases. We set up 700 immunization centres in the slum area from Danapur to Patna City and gave immunization coverage to nearly 70000 children and pregnant mothers in one day, on every second Saturday of the month for four successive months. Never before a Mass Immunization Campaign of such magnitude has been successfully organized in this country."

" IMA will also stress the importance of formulating central law against offenders who perpetrate violence against medical professionals. IMA will also voice for changes in Clinical Establishment Act so that 50 bedded hospitals are exempted from the act", he added.