IMA writes an open letter to the PM on induction of Mr Anant K Hegde in the Union Cabinet

IMA writes an open letter to the PM on induction of Mr Anant K Hegde in the Union Cabinet Dr KK Aggarwal National President IMA Violence against doctors is occurring with increasing frequency in India. Enactment of a stringent central act against violence making violence against doctors a non-bailable offense punishable with up to 14 years imprisonment on the lines of abatement of a murder is one of our major demands. This was also a recommendation of the inter-ministerial committee formed more than two years back, which is yet to be implemented. The perpetrators of such violent attacks against doctors are not only relatives/friends of the patients, but unfortunately VVIPs too, such as MPs, who are representatives of people and therefore also representatives of their concerns and problems in the Parliament. Earlier this year, Mr Anant Kumar Hegde, a member of parliament from Karnataka allegedly assaulted hospital staff including doctors at a private hospital in Sirsi, Karnataka over an alleged delay in treating his mother. This incident was caught in the CCTV, on the basis of which, the Sirsi police registered a suo motu case against the MP. But, neither the CCTV footage has not been put on FIR record nor have statements of doctors have been recorded. The local Sirsi Association of Medical Consultants at Sirsi also filed a complaint in the local court asking for a fair and free trial and requested the court to direct the police to record the evidences. In his speech on the occasion of the centenary celebrations of Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat in June this year, the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had addressed the issue of violence against doctors. “If a patient dies due to an unsuccessful operation, relatives burn down hospitals and beat up doctors. An accident is an accident. When people die or are injured in accidents, a group of people come together and burn vehicles,” he said (Indian Express, June 30, 2017). He had also taken a clear stand against violence, when he had said, “No person in this nation has the right to take the law in his or her own hands in this country.” The Indian Medical Association (IMA) is not against accountability and also holds the view that no one can be allowed to take law in their hands. But, in an unfortunate and disturbing turn of events, instead of taking any action against him or conducting a fair inquiry into the incident, Mr Anant Kumar Hegde has been ‘rewarded’ with a position in the Union cabinet in the recent cabinet reshuffle on Sunday. Vedas teach us to seek forgiveness. The medical fraternity was hopeful that after taking over as a minister, Mr Anant Kumar Hegde would first apologize for his misdeeds to the medical profession. But there has been no sign of repentance. Appointing a tainted person as the Minister of State in the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has sent a wrong message to the society. Is indulging in violence and not apologising the ‘new skill’ to be taught to entrepreneurs? In an open letter to the Prime Minister, IMA has appealed for his intervention in this regard – to make appropriate revision in his decision and also to expedite and get the incident investigated in a fair manner. Becoming a doctor is not easy. Years of hard work, dedication and sacrifice make a doctor. And, no doctor practices medicine to intentionally harm a patient. Inducting Mr Anant Kumar Hegde in the Cabinet is disheartening. It has also distressed us all. ‘Rewarding’ his conduct, will only ‘encourage’ others to follow suit

IMA lauds Prime Minister Modi's stand on violence against doctors

IMA lauds Prime Minister Modi's stand on violence against doctors Says the government should finally sit up and take notice of the issues plaguing this noble profession and work towards resolving them New Delhi, 29 June 2017: In what can be called another ray of hope in IMA's collective voice and stand against the atrocities faced by the medical fraternity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed one of the most pertinent issues that the Association is fighting for-- that of increasing violence against doctors and those in the medical profession. IMA lauded the PM's stand on the issue in his speech on the occasion of the centenary celebrations of Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat. In his speech, the Hon'ble Prime Minister expressed his disbelief and angst on the fact that the people of a country that reveres the proponent of non-violence, Mahatma Gandhi, should act against doctors and indulge in violence against them. Calling doctors as life givers, Mr Modi said that the country's collective consciousness needs a drastic change. Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, National President Indian Medical Association (IMA) and President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Dr RN Tandon – Honorary Secretary General IMA in a joint statement, said, "The efforts of the IMA have come full circle today with one of the pertinent issues being addressed by the Prime Minister himself. We are grateful to him for taking notice and speaking in our favor. Violence against doctors is unacceptable and any such act should be made a punishable, non-bailable offence with imprisonment of up to 14 years. There should also be a stringent central act to this effect. These are tough times for the medical profession at large with its nobility and integrity at stake. It is important to understand that doctors are also human beings and not healing angels. Once treatment is administered, the recuperation of a patient depends upon physical and organic factors. It is unacceptable and absurd to victimize the medical practitioner if the patient does not respond to treatment." The IMA recently concluded a nationwide campaign against the many issues facing the medical community. These led up to the Dilli Chalo movement which saw participation from doctors all over India, in large numbers, both in person and digitally through live web casts. The fact that the movement started with the blessings of Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat was symbolic of IMA's silent but strong support for non-violence. Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, said, "Both doctors and patients should understand the sanctity of their relationship. The dignity of the profession needs to be upheld. It won’t be wrong to say that justice has been denied to doctors even within the framework of the constitution of India. The sole aim of all the protests is to serve as a wake-up call to the government for urgent action. And this address by the Hon'ble Prime Minister is definitely a positive step in that direction." While there need to be stringent security measures to curb violence against doctors, strengthening the doctor-patient relationship is also imperative. The need of the hour is accountability and openness which will further lead to a restoration of trust in the doctor-patient relationship.

IMA hails PM taking up the cause of medical profession

IMA hails PM taking up the cause of medical profession

Dr K K Aggarwal PM Modi initiates health campaign and asks people to avoid taking antibiotics without the doctor’s prescription In his monthly address to the people of the nation in ‘Mann Ki Baat’, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi urged people to not take antibiotics without the prescription of a doctor since resorting to such short cuts to get better soon has been giving rise to new problems. He also asked the citizens to take antibiotics for the entire course prescribed by the doctors and not leave it midway as it can potentially lead to antibiotic resistance. He informed the people that the Government is resolute on stopping the menace of antibiotic resistance and that antibiotic medicine strips are now having a red line to warn the people. He suggested that in order to get well soon, consuming any antibiotic that is available easily, without consulting a doctor, is not a wise choice. While explaining the issue of antibiotic resistance, he stated that random and excessive use of antibiotics makes the causative organisms accustomed to the particular drug, and the drug thus loses its efficacy and utility. This practice of impetuous use of antibiotics thus creates newer problems that require years of research to find out solutions for. Additionally, leaving an antibiotic course, prescribed by a doctor, midway, or continuing it for longer than prescribed, both will harm the patient and help the bacteria. The causative organisms are fast undergoing mutations and rendering the once-effective antibiotics, ineffective now, thus adding to the problem of antibiotic resistance. While antibiotic resistance is a global public health problem, the issue nowhere is it as stark as in India. Resistance to fluoroquinolones among invasive Salmonella Typhi isolates in India was 8% in 2008 that rose to 28% in 2014. And antibiotic use itself is the most significant driving force behind this resistance. In the year 2010, India was the world’s largest consumer of antibiotics for human health, with consumption estimated at 12.9 x 109 units (10.7 units per person). It is high time that we start taking our health seriously and understand that the use of antibiotics without prescription is going to do more harm than good.