Pune: Members of Indian Medical Association (IMA) have opposed the proposed National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill with the beginning of winter session of the Parliament. The bill may be tabled in the session.
In September this year, the Medical Council of India (MCI) was dissolved and was replaced with a seven-member board led by NITI Aayog member (Health) VK Paul.
Explaining the IMA’s stand, Dr Padma Iyer, President of its Pune chapter, said the sudden decision of the government to dissolve the MCI aims to supersede the council by issuing an ordinance. It is an exercise solely aimed at thwarting a democratically elected body.
“The action was sudden, unilateral, without any provocation, therefore, cannot be said to be well intended and in public interest. The said dissolution has been condemned by the IMA in vociferous terms calling the government action as autocratic, undemocratic, unilateral, highhanded, without citing any reasons for the same in public domain and solely aimed at ensuring that elections for constituting of the MCI by November 5, 2018, are scuttled,”said Dr Iyer.
The IMA, in an official statement, stated that the said bill introduces draconian provisions while it does not include more significant and vital provisions.
Speaking about the bill, Dr Hozie Kapadia, President of IMA, Maharashtra State, said the bill lacks a lot of important suggestions made by the stakeholders.
“The proposed bill does not include the concept of renewal of registration; medical education should have been brought under the ambit of development grants; service conditions and pay scales should have been prescribed for medical teachers; prescription of National Perspective Plan for geographic location of medical schools in the context of equity and equitability,” said Kapadia
She added that it is for these reasons that the IMA, with solidarity and unity, is committed to opposing the suggested NMC Bill as it is anti-poor and anti-democratic in nature.
