Medical services across the country are likely to remain paralysed today. All doctor affiliated to the IMA have threatened to go on a daylong strike to protest the proposed amendments to acts related to clinical establishment and private practice. Many private practitioners are also set to join the strike to show their support.
They are protesting the decision to dissolve the Medical Council of India (MCI) and other paramedical bodies like the Nursing Council of India and the Dental Council of India and the formation of National Council for Human Resources in Health (NCHRH) which will replace them is one of the main reasons for this strike. The doctors fear the NCHRH will be governed by bureaucrats instead of doctors and this will lead to vested interests. It is also likely that it will increase red tapism and lead to harassment of doctors and their ilk, They are also opposing the implementation of the Clinical Establishment act.
“Private hospitals, consulting chambers, diagnostic centres, clinics, nursing homes will remain closed on June 25,” Indian Medical Association’s state honorary Secretary Dr SS Agrawal told reporters on Saturday.
Government doctors will wear black ribbon around their arms on duty as a sign of protest, he said.
The Central government is also trying to amend certain Acts related to clinical establishment and private practice which is likely to adversely affect the profession, he said.
“We will take out a rally and submit a memorandum addressed to Prime Minister to the district collector against the proposed amendments and other moves of the government, he said adding, the emergency services will remain unaffected during the strike.
“Delivery of service would become difficult for us after the proposed amendments which would help corruption flourish,” Dr Vijay Kapoor, Secretary, Private Hospitals and Nursing Home Society, said.
Click here to read why the IMA are going on strike.
