IMA observes fast on 2nd October

New Delhi, October 2, 2017: More than one lakh members of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) sat on fast today, from dawn to dusk, from 6 am to 6 pm, in support of fulfillment of their demands by the Government.

More than 1000 special General Body Meetings by various IMA Branches were organized during the day all over India and letters addressed to the Prime Minister were released to draw his attention to important issues, confronting the doctors in the country and which need to be addressed urgently. These issues need to be solved to make healthcare accessible and affordable to all by collaborative efforts.

IMA, representing over 3 lakh doctors of modern medicine, spread across 1,700 local branches and 31 State and Territorial branches, is working to improve healthcare scenario in our country by promoting Professionalism, Integrity and Medical Ethics.

IMA strongly supports the goals set out in the “National Health Policy 2017″. However, the above goals are attainable only when the Government and other stakeholders are working together in harmony with mutual trust.

Padma Shri Awardee Dr KK Aggarwal, National President Indian Medical Association (IMA) & President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Dr RN Tandon Honorary Secretary General IMA in a joint statement on the occasion, said, “IMA has been protesting peacefully against the atrocities faced by the medical profession. We have been asking for the implementation of the recommendations of the inter-ministerial committee and other demands for the past one year, but they have not been implemented up till now. As an outburst of anger and frustration more than 10,000 doctors had marched from Rajghat and over 90,000 had participated digitally in Dilli Chalo Protest on 6th June this year. The fast today is also a peaceful protest by IMA through which we request the Prime Minister that our issues be resolved in a time-bound manner. The increasing incidences violence against doctors, criminal prosecution of doctors and uncapped compensation, in particular, are all serious issues and need his immediate intervention and cannot wait for routine consideration.”

Dr Ravi Wankhedkar Incoming President said, “The manner in which various regulatory Acts such as Clinical Establishments Act (CEA) are being implemented is unfavourable not only to the medical profession but also to the community as they ignore the ground realities. Doctors treat patients with good intentions and are the healers for the sufferings of the patients. No doctor intentionally harms a patient. Single doctor establishments should be exempted from the purview of CEA. Establishments that already have entry level NABH accreditation should be exempted from the mandatory pre-registration inspection.”

Dr Vinay Aggarwal, Dr A Marthanda Pillai and Dr R V Asokan in a joint statement said, “Provisions in healthcare regulations should be such to identify medical errors and negligence. Clerical errors and minor noncompliance should not attract criminal provisions of the PCPNDT Act. PCPNDT Act is a medical solution for a socio-economic problem, which cannot solve the issue. Without solving the social and economic reasons behind female feticide/infanticide, the proper male-female ratio cannot be maintained.”

IMA reiterated the demands of the medical fraternity that need to be resolved.

• Stop criminal prosecution of medical negligence and clerical errors
• Stringent central act against violence on doctors
• Capping the compensation in Consumer Protection Act (CPA) on doctors
• Professional autonomy in treatment and prescriptions
• Amendments in PC PNDT, Central CEA, West Bengal CEA Acts
• No unscientific mixing of systems of medicine
• Empower MBBS graduates
• One drug – One company – One price
• Implement inter-ministerial committee recommendations in six weeks
• Single window accountability
• Single window registration of doctors and medical establishments
• No to National Medical Commission (NMC): Amend IMC act to maintain professional autonomy
• Uniform final MBBS exam instead of ‘NEXT’
• Uniform service conditions for service doctors & faculty
• Same work – Same pay – Pay parity – No to adhocism
• Fair conduction of NEET exam
• IMA member in every government health committee
• Central anti-quackery law
• Reimbursement of emergency services provided by private sector
• 25000 family medicine PG seats
• Aided hospitals and retainership in general practice
• Health budget of 5% of GDP for universal health coverage