IMA warns of legal action against Telangana govt

Hyderabad: The Indian Medical Association has threatened to take legal action if the government dissolves the Medical Council of India and appoints a Medical Commission. IMA is strongly advocating rejection of the proposed National Medical Commission Bill 2016.

Former secretary of united AP IMA Dr Yadgiri Rao said, “The hidden agenda of the government is to have a medical college in every district in the country. Just like how engineering colleges have mushroomed they want medical colleges. But that is not going to solve the problem. Existing doctors are not distributed properly. It is high time a scientific plan is implemented so that doctors practice in rural areas.”

The proposed commission is going to have representatives from other walks of life and it is claimed that the ills of corruption and poor doctor-patient ratio will be solved and healthcare improved. Quoting sources in the health ministry, a senior official explained,  “The decision to dissolve the Medical Council of India is due to the fact that it is a toothless body. In the last 80 years of its existence they have not been able to take action against corrupt doctors or curtail unethical practices. There is no standardisation of procedures or that can be charged. It is completely based on hospitals which is wrong. The fraternity protects and also patronises its people and that is one of the prime reasons why people from other walks of life are required to streamline medical processes and make it affordable to the common man.” But doctors are strongly opposing it and state that the bill will merely increase corruption.

IMA president Dr S.S. Agarwal said, “The proposed bill is not people friendly. It is also not democratic and eliminates elected members. Nominated members will make a mockery of the democratic process which is being followed. Why should doctors take an exit exam after an MBBS degree?”  These provisions are uncalled for and it will merely create more problems for doctors."