The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has expressed its displeasure over the way the central government is bringing in the new NMC (National Medical Commission) Bill in Parliament which is against the interests of modern allopathic medical practitioners in the country.

According to Dr Ravi Wankhedkar, national president of IMA, though the central government has removed the earlier proposed bridge course for Ayush doctors, it has not removed some of the provisions completely and left out some of the loopholes which will allow the Ayush doctors to practice allopathic medicine from the backdoor which is against the rules.

As the central government is planning to bring in new NMC, the Allopathic doctors suspect that the government has left loopholes and a back door entry has been allowed for these doctors to practice allopathic medicine.

Earlier the central government had proposed a bridge course that was part of the new NMC bill, allowing Ayush doctors to learn modern medicine and practice and learn modern medicine. However, with the IMA vehemently opposed to any such kind of proposal, the central government has dropped the idea of bridge course. However, the IMA is still apprehensive of the bill as it suspects the government has not completely quashed the proposal and has left the mantle for the state governments to resolve it based on the needs and requirements of the state.   

“The central government is brining the NMC bill by amending the rules and regulations that is governing the allopathic medicine in the country. We are apprehensive about the government’s move as it is planning to allow crosspathy as some of the provisions in the new NMC bill will empower the Ayush doctors to practice modern medicine which is against the rules and interests of allopathic doctors,” says Dr. Wankhedkar.

The IMA president vehemently opposed the government’s tactics. He also pointed out that the government has enhanced the quota of private colleges from 15 per cent earlier to 50 per cent now. This increase will lead to exorbitant rise in fees which is not acceptable.

Expressing its displeasure, the IMA has also contended that many vital issues have not been included in the NMC bill. Issues like violence against doctors and hospitals, amendments to the Pre-conception and Pre- Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act and non innovation of section of 304 A have not been resolved and are left pending for years together.