Mumbai: Indian Medical Association’s 1-day strike against NMC Bill

Around 10,000 Indian Medical Association doctors from the city and approximately three lakh doctors across the country organised a day-long strike by suspending the non-emergency services at the private hospitals.

The nationwide strike was organised against the National Medical Commission Bill (NMC) 2017. The IMA body had given suggestions and had objected to the standing committee of the Parliament in order to change the drafted bill.

According to the IMA doctors, no suggestions or objections were implemented or incorporated to change the draft of the Bill. The withdrawal of non-emergency services affected patients in almost all major states, especially in tier 2,3,4 cities.

IMA National President Dr Ravi Wankhedkar said, “Withdrawal of non-emergency services was only a warning signal to the Government. IMA will intensify its agitation if the government tries to bulldoze this pro-rich NMC Bill which will promote corruption. We want the Government to reconsider the current bill.”

Earlier, in the month of February, IMA had sent an alternative proposal to the parliamentary standing committee on health. The parliamentary standing committee had a hearing with the IMA to hear about their objection to the Bill and have suggested them to submit an alternative proposal. A committee of seven members has drafted an alternative proposal since January 24 after the meeting with the standing committee.

They are objecting to the fact of not having representatives from different stakeholders from all the constituent states; a The IMA body had given a suggestion and had objected to the standing committee of the Parliament in order to change the drafted bill.

WHY THE STRIKE

IMA body had given suggestions & had objected to Parl standing committee in order to change the drafted bill; IMA doctors say none of those suugestions were incorporated