Hyderabad: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has stated that the string of protests against the National Medical Council Bill will continue and they are going to look at all the options available to them, including legal recourse.
The passage of the NMC Bill in Parliament today has seen political expediency triumphing over rationality and justice, the protesting medical fraternity says, and the irreparable ill effects on medical education, the profession and the healthcare delivery system will be felt for years to come.
Dr Ravi Wankhedkar, senior member of the IMA said, “We will continue our efforts and struggle and will try to influence Presidential assent, and framing of rules and regulations in the coming three years and also explore legal options. We are going to sensitise all stakeholders on important issues and the fight is going to continue.”
Dr T. Narsinga Reddy, senior IMA member, said protests by students have already started. “There have been hunger strikes in AIIMS and other government hospitals across the country. The students are very upset with the decision of the government and they are going to continue with the protests.”
Padma Shree Dr K.K. Aggarwal, a cardiologist says the Bill “is going to kill the alternative medical systems existing in India and will benefit only pharmaceutical companies whose sale of medicines is going to increase by 50 per cent. “The clause permitting community health workers to prescribe medicines for preventive healthcare and also simple diseases is going to benefit pharmaceutical firms the most. India’s rich heritage of Ayurveda is going to suffer in the long run which is now the most sought after form of medication in the West.” Dr Mohammed Javed Iqbal, senior member of IMA in Telangana, cautioned that “the passage of the NMC Bill means that the people have to now be aware from whom they are seeking treatment. It will now be up to the people to identify whether they are being treated by a qualified MBBS doctor, or by someone who is not medically qualified but still has the license to practice.”
