Indian Medical Association issues notification for halting its decision to withdraw medical services and instead opting for carrying out an aggressive public campaign against the National Medical Commission Bill. Now, the association has decided to withdraw services at a later date.
In an emergency action committee on Sunday, Indian Medical Association had earlier called for the nation-wide withdrawal of services from 8 August. But owing to the tough circumstances in Jammu and Kashmir, flood situation in Karnataka, Maharashtra, and North-eastern states, The Association has deferred its decision to withdraw the services. The Association has also been assured by Dr. Harsh Vardhan (Union Health Minister) of positive actions and proper discussion.
IMA has also urged the President of withholding his assent to the bill. IMA has been mainly opposing section 32, 50 and 51 which seeks to encourage quackery and cross-pathy practice. It has also raised questions on the quality of medical education under the provisions of the bill.
CONTEMPORARY DEVELOPMENT:
Showing solidarity to the victims of flood-affected areas in Maharashtra, Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) has called off its protest against the NMC bill on humanitarian grounds.
Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) "temporarily calls off its agitation on humanitarian grounds until further notice" in view of the flood situation in the state & abrogation of Article 370 pic.twitter.com/Ip38YrclFa
— ANI (@ANI) August 8, 2019
BACKGROUND:
National Medical Commission Bill 2019, which seeks to overhaul the Indian Medical Council Act 1956 was put up for voting on the table in Rajya Sabha on Thursday. The Upper House approved the Bill by voice vote. Lok Sabha has already given its approval to the Bill on 29 July. Now the Bill will be sent to the President for his assent.
The National Medical Commission Bill 2019 seeks to repeal the archaic Medical Council of India with new National Medical commission as the body. Under the Bill, the Central government is now empowered to overrule any decision of newly established NMC. It also calls for reducing the number of elected members, down from 75 percent to 20 percent. The Bill has various provisions over which doctors have expressed their fears. The Doctor’s body is terming the bill as “anti-student” and “anti-poor”.
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