IMA president calls NCHRH Bill illegal and undemocratic

25 June, 2012

Private medical practitioners in various parts of the country are on strike today. It was IMA's decision to announce a nationwide strike to protest the NCHRH Bill.

ANAMIKA MEHTA, a doctor by profession is not attending to her work today. She took this decision after the Indian Medical Association called for a strike throughout India to protest the National Commission for Human Resources in Health (NCHRH) Bill, 2011. Prof. G.K. Ramachandrappa, National President, IMA says, “It is not democratic and it is illegal.” Doctors fear for the autonomy of their profession, which might have to be surrendered to the government.

If the proposed commission is passed, then “It will lead to dissolution of many councils, such as Medical Council of India, Pharmacist Council, Nursing Council etc”, said Ramachandrappa. But, it is surprising why does the government or precisely Health Ministry want such an act, when these councils have 2/3rd of its members from different states, 1/3rd nominated by state and the central government. He questions, “Where is the need to form a commission?”

Ramachandrappa is not happy with the proposed amendments. “The new commission would comprise of 13 Allopathic doctors.” He asks, “Why are there no representation from other departments?” The health ministry wants to centralise all powers, as it seems.

A dharna had been organised at Jantar Mantar in which around 2500 doctors participated. They had given one weeks time to the government to look into the matter. They had clearly stated that if there was no response a Bharat medical bandh would take place, which is indeed taking place in various parts of the country today.

Doctors have been advised to take part in the protest movement. But, they will attend their duty only if there is any kind of emergency. It is not only the private doctors who are supporting IMA. But, doctors working in government hospitals are also showing their support in a different manner. Some doctors are wearing black bands, while 70% of doctors (in Karnataka) took casual leave. Such kind of measures might make the Health ministry re-think about their decision. Will they?

Dr Mehta does not have high hopes from the strike. She says, “It is not going to affect the government. In fact, it is going to hamper the patients, who need doctors attention.” She does not have much information about the things going around related to it, but she knows that the commission is not going to benefit the doctors' cause.

Such kind of matter has to be solved as quickly as possible, as it is the general public which might have to suffer, if there are more strikes in the future. Who will have its way? IMA or the Heath ministry? As of now, the government seems disinterested in listening to the IMA demands. But, for how long?