Indian Medical Association (IMA) has urged the government that the right to health be made a fundamental right on the occasion of celebrating the Doctors Day on July1. IMA celebrated Doctors Day in all its state branches.

“For this, the government should strengthen the public healthcare delivery system and promote and support the private health sector which caters to 70 per cent of the healthcare demands of our country,” said Dr T.C. Rathod president and Dr Suhas Pingle honourary secretary general of the Maharashtra State IMA branch.
 
During the events senior doctors were honoured for their contribution in the field of medicine. Key principles that should govern the crucial doctor-patient relationship were also discussed.

Blood donation camps were organised in each state and awareness was raised about how each healthy individual must donate blood regularly. 'Doctors Day' is celebrated every year in memory of Bharat Ratna Awardee late Dr. BC Roy, the doyen of the medical profession.

“With the recent inclusion of medical services under the Consumer Protection Act, the integrity and trust in the doctor-patient relationship has been threatened,” said Padma Shri Awardee Dr. A Marthanda Pillai – national president And Padma Shri Awardee Dr. KK Aggarwal - honourary secretary general of IMA in a joint statement.

IMA expressed its concern over the drastic increase in the cases of violence against doctors and medical establishments. It was discussed that the need of the hour was for the society to create an atmosphere where doctors can practice with peace and dignity. This in turn would allow the medical fraternity to put its best foot forward towards providing the best possible healthcare services to the society at large without the fear of assault and harassment. The urgent need for a Central Act to protect doctors while on duty and medical establishments against public outrage was also voiced.

Another important concern raised was regarding common healthcare issues, which continue to plague our society such as a high maternal mortality and infant mortality rate and the inability of the government to stop the spread of communicable diseases (India fares lower than even Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in this regard). With the gradual increase in treatment costs, IMA also urged the government to roll out a realistic health policy aimed at the overall benefit of the Indian population and to increase the health allocation in the union budget to at least 2.5 per cent of the GDP.

All 2.5 lakh members of the IMA were asked to take a pledge re-instating their commitment towards the overall healthcare benefit of the nation and working while upholding the highest standards of ethics. While a doctor saves the lives of a majority of his patients, there are some cases, which are beyond his control. In such scenarios, the doctor must maintain an empathetic approach towards the family of the patient.