Delhi saw a huge demonstrating protest by resident doctors taking over to the streets on Thursday. On Friday, Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan called the doctors to end the protests. A face to face meeting was convened between the doctors and Dr. Harsh Vardhan. He allayed their fears over the various provisions of the NMC (National Medical Commission) Bill.
मैं अपने सभी डॉक्टर साथियों से राष्ट्रहित में हड़ताल समाप्त करने के साथ चिकित्सा शिक्षा के क्षेत्र में आमूलचूल परिवर्तन लाने वाले #NMCBill, 2019 का समर्थन करने की अपील करता हूं।@MoHFW_INDIA @PMOIndia @AIIMSRDA @FordaIndia pic.twitter.com/MTIHInoTwE
— Dr Harsh Vardhan (Modi Ka Pariwar) (@drharshvardhan) August 2, 2019
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.
Even though Dr. Harsh Vardhan hailed the legislation as one of the biggest reform of the Modi government, Doctors seem to take a different stand on the issue.
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”.
Though doctors have voiced their concerns over the definition of health providers, NEET exam and other provisions that seek to promote quackery and unprofessionalism in the medical field, Dr. Harsh Vardhan has clarified the stand of his government, calling the Bill in nation’s interests. He explained to them the community health provider concept which had been previously defined by WHO. Such health providers already exist in developed nations like China, America, Africa and etc.
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