Stipulating a "safe limit" of alcohol for male doctors at 18 ml and for female doctors at 9 ml, less than 1/3 and 1/6 of a peg, the Indian Medical Association in its latest circular has directed its office- bearers to observe dry days on July 1 (Doctors Day) and September 5 (Teachers day) and also imposes a ban on alcohol from all IMA meets.
The circular also asks doctors to refrain from drinking with "non-dcotors" and become "brand ambassadors of health" for the society.
The advisory is part of the "alcohol policy" released by the apex body of medical professionals on Friday and circulated among members acros India through WhatsApp message. Dr KK Aggarwal, National President of IMA, has drafted the rules, say doctors who were amused as they received the "policy".
The policy has reportedly come in force with immediate effect.
"'Practice What You Preach" is an age-old saying. Doctors have a responsibility to put into practice themselves what they teach their patients about healthy lifestyle. It is also important that we maintain our dignity before the patients, a dictum also laid down in the MCI Code of ethics regulations," says the directive.
Referring to MCI guideline, Dr Aggarwal says, "A physician shall uphold the dignity and honour of his profession. A patient should be able to trust his doctor and have confidence in him. Any public display of "undignified" behaviour erodes the trust in the doctor and gives a bad name to the profession. IMA has formulated an alcohol policy for all its members to follow.
IMA office-bearers and other members refuse to speak on record but termed the directive as "hilarious, factually wrong and impractical".
"This is just laughable. People look up to as role model, but only in small towns. In metros the situation is totally different," claimed a doctor.
Some doctors claimed that since Dr Aggarwal is himself a teetotallar and vegetarian, he is expecting others to follow him which is a way too much.
Dr Aggarwal could not be reached for comments.
IMA's alcohol policy
- Both July 1 and September 5 are dry days and no alcohol should be served in any function
- No social alcohol in company of non doctors.
- 6 grams (18 ml of whisky) is the social and safe dose of alcohol.
- No alcohol should be served in IMA meetings.
- If served, follow 6 g limit for relaxation, if can't then less than 10 gram per serving, no second serving in less than one hour and no more than two servings in one day, 50% for women
- IMA host should ensure that guests do not drive back, if they are served alcohol
- One standard peg = 10 g (1 ml alcohol = 0.8 g) = 30 ml of 80 proof whisky with 40% alcohol
- 12 g = 360 mL beer, 150 mL wine, or 45 mL of 80 proof distilled spirits
- Liver can metabolize 10 gm of alcohol in one hour (50% in women)
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