The Indian Medical Association (IMA) is planning to observe ‘IMA Satyagraha’ on November 16, 2016 to protest against the government’s move to introduce the 'non-democratic' National Medical Commission Bill in Parliament.

According to Dr. S.S. Agarwal, IMA National President, the IMA which has more than 1700 branches across the country has decided to go on a ‘dharna’ known as ‘IMA Satyagraha’ to fight for the rights of doctors in the country.

Particularly, in the recent times the doctors on duty have faced many cases of violence from the patients and their relatives. But the government has not taken cognizance of this and has not taken any concrete measures to ensure adequate safety for the doctors in the government hospitals. “We have been fighting for rights of the doctors and the government had also set up a committee comprising officials from ministry of health, the drug controller and MCI. However the committee has not been able to come to a conclusion on the six demands of the doctors,” said Dr. S.S. Agarwal.

The IMA has also demanded that single doctor clinic must be brought out of the purview of the Clinical Establishment Act. There must not be any penal provisions for clerical mistakes in various Acts including PC-PNDT Act. The IMA has demanded strict implementation of the Act on schedule H, H1 and Z drugs which are prescribed by non-MBBS or non BDS doctors. They have also stated that compensation against professional deficiency should not be decided on the basis of income of the patient to avoid any discrimination in the treatment of the poor and rich. The IMA wants a cap on the compensation.

Most importantly, the IMA has demanded a central act to cover violence against the medical professionals while on duty. Dr. Yadagiri Rao, a senior member of IMA opined that the patients’ fee structure must be structured so that there is a uniform rate for treatment.

The IMA members informed that even though they have taken up various issues with the committee but the committee is taking a long time for discussion and even after so many meetings have not come to any concrete conclusion. Without proper discussion and evolving any concrete solutions bringing a National Medical Commission Bill is non-democratic and against the interests of the doctors, observed the members.

In view of this, the IMA and all its 1700 branches across the country will take part in a dharna from 11 AM to 1 PM on November 16, informed Dr. S.S. Agarwal.