Wake up from slumber, mitigate Covid-19 challenges: IMA slams Health Ministry

Written by Sanchari Chattopadhyay Published On 2021-05-09T10:30:18+05:30 | Updated On 9 May 2021 10:30 AM IST

Wake up from slumber, mitigate Covid-19 challenges: IMA slams Health Ministry

New Delhi: Pointing out serious lapses on part of the government in implementing suggestions given by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), the doctors' body has slammed the Health Ministry asking it to wake up from its slumber and respond to mitigate the growing challenges in the pandemic.

IMA expressed its shock to see the alleged extreme lethargy and inappropriate actions from the Ministry of Health in combating the agonizing crisis born out of the devastating second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In order to augment the infrastructure materials and manpower in health care, the Indian Medical Association has urged the central government to enhance the health care budget from 1 per cent of the GDP to a minimum of 8 to 10 per cent of GDP. The association also cautioned the central government to use the budget amount judiciously to ensure equitable and affordable Universal vaccination.

However, the association alleged that requests made by IMA and other professional learned colleagues are put into the dust bin, and often without realizing the ground realities the decisions are taken. Like many other issues, manpower shortage is dealt with knee jerk reactions, then with progressive inclusive planning and consultation with a suffering junior doctor, stated the association.

In the last 20 days, IMA has suggested a national lockdown for some time to get the breeding time for the healthcare infrastructure to recoup and replenish manpower and material as lockdown will break the chain of spread. While the number of moderate to severe cases is increasing to nearly 40% no such step has been taken yet, the association claimed.

In a recent release signed by Dr J A Jayalal, National President, IMA, the association stated, "The equitable, accessible, and affordable vaccination for all above at least 18 years were demanded by IMA, based on scientific facts from April 6th onwards and after persistent call Hon.PM with his innovative qualities assured the nation, the vaccination drive will be started from May 1st. It is unfortunate the ministry has failed to make the necessary required road map and ensure vaccine stock, resulting in the majority of the places vaccination could not be rolled out for people above 18 years. When the Prime minister notification is not implemented scrupulously who is to be blamed?"

Giving the instance of 1997 and 2014 when India eradicated smallpox and polio by ensuring proper universal vaccination, IMA questioned even after allotting 35000 crores in the budget with which the maximum required 200 crore vaccine doses are purchasable why the central government is not fulfilling its responsibility and there is a scarcity of vaccines in small and medium private hospitals for the last seven days. The association also pointed out that though there is production it is often the distribution is not proper and even after 15 days of the crisis, the government is not seen at the forefront to solve these issues and resulting in people knocking at the doors of courts to get justice, resulting in judicial activism. "Imported oxygen concentrators and oxygen plants are yet to reach the beneficiaries. IMA appeal, as the time is running out with the impending crisis lest we deepen the crisis, solve it on a war footing", added the association.

The association also warned that the mutation is a norm for RNA viruses and understanding this needs proper gene sequencing and risk assessment. Despite suggesting an increase in testing and tracing, but it is decreasing. On the other hand, the association claimed that there is a shortage of needed drugs for treating COVID including steroids is mounting in many places; however, despite suggesting price capping and systematic tracking with surveillance, the government is not interested in capping the price and remove the GST.

Alleging that transparency in reporting and making registry is not carried out, IMA questioned, " We have lost 756 doctors in the first wave and in the second wave more than 146 doctors have died within a short period. Hundreds of dead happening in big hospitals are shown as non-COVID deaths and crematoriums are showing houseful boards.RTPCR negative, but CT positive cases are not counted. Why we are trying to hide actual deaths?"

Further, taking cognizance of the increasing cases of violence against doctors and health care professionals, IMA stated, "Our demand to bring in Central law against hospital violence tagged with IPC provisions and declare hospitals as protective shown couldn't evoke any palpable response from Government. We once again reiterate, if the violence is not controlled and a safe environment is not created for doctors to work with peace, it is going to be a disastrous situation on the health care outcome."

Demanding that the entire health care administration shall be revamped with Indian Medical Service (IMS) cadets, IMA finally suggested establishing a new integrated Ministry to serve in this pandemic with a dedicated, proactive, vibrant, innovative, and altruistic Minister and alleviate the fear of people by leading from the front. It added that a minimum of 8 to10 % OF GDP should be invested in the health care budget to improve the infrastructure and make other necessary arrangements in healthcare.

Indian medical associationIMAhealthcaredoctorsIndian Medical ServiceIMShealthcare budgetcovid19

Sanchari Chattopadhyay

Sanchari Chattopadhyay has pursued her M.A in English and Culture Studies from the University of Burdwan, West Bengal. She likes observing cultural specificities and exploring new places.