IMA observes fast on 2nd October

IMA observes fast on 2nd October New Delhi, 2nd October 2017: More than one lakh members of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) sat on fast today, from dawn to dusk, from 6 am to 6 pm, in support of fulfillment of their demands by the Government. More than 1000 special General Body Meetings by various IMA Branches were organized during the day all over India and letters addressed to the Prime Minister were released to draw his attention to important issues, confronting the doctors in the country and which need to be addressed urgently. These issues need to be solved to make healthcare accessible and affordable to all by collaborative efforts. IMA, representing over 3 lakh doctors of modern medicine, spread across 1,700 local branches and 31 State and Territorial branches, is working to improve healthcare scenario in our country by promoting Professionalism, Integrity and Medical Ethics. IMA strongly supports the goals set out in the “National Health Policy 2017". However, the above goals are attainable only when the Government and other stakeholders are working together in harmony with mutual trust. Padma Shri Awardee Dr KK Aggarwal, National President Indian Medical Association (IMA) & President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Dr RN Tandon Honorary Secretary General IMA in a joint statement on the occasion, said, “IMA has been protesting peacefully against the atrocities faced by the medical profession. We have been asking for the implementation of the recommendations of the inter-ministerial committee and other demands for the past one year, but they have not been implemented up till now. As an outburst of anger and frustration more than 10,000 doctors had marched from Rajghat and over 90,000 had participated digitally in Dilli Chalo Protest on 6th June this year. The fast today is also a peaceful protest by IMA through which we request the Prime Minister that our issues be resolved in a time-bound manner. The increasing incidences violence against doctors, criminal prosecution of doctors and uncapped compensation, in particular, are all serious issues and need his immediate intervention and cannot wait for routine consideration.” Dr Ravi Wankhedkar Incoming President said, “The manner in which various regulatory Acts such as Clinical Establishments Act (CEA) are being implemented is unfavourable not only to the medical profession but also to the community as they ignore the ground realities. Doctors treat patients with good intentions and are the healers for the sufferings of the patients. No doctor intentionally harms a patient. Single doctor establishments should be exempted from the purview of CEA. Establishments that already have entry level NABH accreditation should be exempted from the mandatory pre-registration inspection.” Dr Vinay Aggarwal, Dr A Marthanda Pillai and Dr R V Asokan in a joint statement said, “Provisions in healthcare regulations should be such to identify medical errors and negligence. Clerical errors and minor noncompliance should not attract criminal provisions of the PCPNDT Act. PCPNDT Act is a medical solution for a socio-economic problem, which cannot solve the issue. Without solving the social and economic reasons behind female feticide/infanticide, the proper male-female ratio cannot be maintained.” IMA reiterated the demands of the medical fraternity that need to be resolved. • Stop criminal prosecution of medical negligence and clerical errors • Stringent central act against violence on doctors • Capping the compensation in Consumer Protection Act (CPA) on doctors • Professional autonomy in treatment and prescriptions • Amendments in PC PNDT, Central CEA, West Bengal CEA Acts • No unscientific mixing of systems of medicine • Empower MBBS graduates • One drug - One company - One price • Implement inter-ministerial committee recommendations in six weeks • Single window accountability • Single window registration of doctors and medical establishments • No to National Medical Commission (NMC): Amend IMC act to maintain professional autonomy • Uniform final MBBS exam instead of ‘NEXT’ • Uniform service conditions for service doctors & faculty • Same work - Same pay - Pay parity - No to adhocism • Fair conduction of NEET exam • IMA member in every government health committee • Central anti-quackery law • Reimbursement of emergency services provided by private sector • 25000 family medicine PG seats • Aided hospitals and retainership in general practice • Health budget of 5% of GDP for universal health coverage

Straight from the Heart: 2nd October fast for nonviolence or fast for national protest

Straight from the Heart: 2nd October fast for nonviolence or fast for national protest Dear Colleague It was a disturbing day for IMA yesterday. Dr RN Tandon and Dr DR Rai and I attended the National Council for Clinical Establishments chaired by the DGHS. • In the meeting, it was obvious that the National Council does not recognize the minutes of Inter-Ministerial Committee. • In every Inter-Ministerial committee meeting, the joint secretary of CEA, who is member secretary of the council, was present but his decision was not given any weightage. • The chairman of the council did not approve the very basic fact agreed by the ministry earlier that the clause to Stabilize needs to be changed to “basic life support services” • IMA clearly told the chair that for IMA, MOH is one and not divided into Health Ministry and DGHS section separately. Current situation • All decisions linked to clinical establishments have been deferred as CEA council has put a question mark on them. • PNDT amendments have been referred to central supervisory board and it is unlikely that next meeting will accept other IMA suggested agreed recommendations. • The capping demand has been referred to the Consumer Ministry. • The central act against violence also has been referred to Law Ministry. No direct decision is being taken by Health Ministry. Can they not do it? Yes, if the political intent is there. In the meeting yesterday, the main move, it seemed, was to bring an amendment, to allow lab technicians, biochemists and microbiologists, to practice and sign lab reports. Without any pre-circulated agenda, they were allowed to present their case for 30 minutes. All other important agendas were postponed to accommodate the representatives of lab medicine and microbiology. After their presentations the matter was not put for any discussion but referred to a committee. We again pleaded our case that if the inter-ministerial committee minutes cannot be taken up by the council, let them be discussed as IMA resolutions. The request and the resolution were rejected. We requested again at the end to review their decision of rejection but the same was not accepted by the chair. We briefed the MOH economic advisor and PS to HM (IAS). I also sent an SMS to the Health Minister. I did get a reply call from the minister and informed him in brief and that his PS has been informed in detail about the proceedings. Future action IMA wants implementation of inter-ministerial meeting decisions in toto by 2nd October. IMA is observing a Nationwide Non- Violence fast on 2nd October and we are sure this will not turn to be Nation-wide Protest day. Disclaimer: The views expressed in this write up are entirely my own.

IMA Fast for Non Violence on 2nd October

IMA Fast for Fast on 2nd October Dear Colleague During the recent meeting of IMA National Action Group, it has been decided to observe "IMA Fast for Non Violence", a Dawn to Dusk Fast by every Branch and every member of IMA on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, October 2, 2017 from 6.00 am to 6.00 pm, to mark our continuing Satyagraha to the Government to take action on our demands. All Medical Organizations and Associations (FOMA) and all members of IMA are requested through our State & Local Leaders to observe the fast on 2nd October 2017, in support of our pending demands. The broad guidelines for observing the above Fast shall be as follows:- • Pandals to be erected near the District Collectorate in all the Districts of the country. • Prominent leaders of the district to take part in the Fast. • Necessary banners, backdrops and Placards to be prepared and displayed in the Pandal (content will be made available soon on IMA website). • All medical students to be involved in the Fast and they will organize their Fasts in respective Medical Colleges in specially erected dedicated pandals (necessary backdrops, banners to be arranged). • All practicing doctors to observe “Dawn to Dusk Fast” in their Clinics/Medical Institutions while working. • All fasting participants to wear badges (content of badge to be provided by IMA HQs). • Proper reporting to be done to IMA HQs on the proforma (to be provided by IMA HQs.) along with digital copies of photographs of the event. • Special venues for the Fast are: o Rajghat o Sabarmati Ashram, Gujarat o Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (MGIMS), Sevagram, Wardha You are requested to kindly take suitable necessary action at your Branch level to ensure utmost success of the event, which will go a long way in acceptance of our demands by the Govt. Dr KK Aggarwal, National President, IMA Dr RN Tandon, Hony. Secretary General, IMA Dr RV Asokan, Chairman, IMA National Action Cell Disclaimer: The views expressed in this write up are entirely my own.