Chandigarh
10 March 2018
DIVYA AZAD
Government has introduced National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill to replace the existing Medical Council of India in an attempt to improve healthcare infrastructure of the country. However, Indian Medical Association, the official body of doctors of modern medicine is of the opinion that many provisions of the bill are ill conceived, not properly thought of implementation of NMC bill will result in production of half baked doctors, significant increase in fee of Medical Education and encourage corruption. In Fact it will be counterproductive and will lead to marked deterioration in Medical Services provided to the common man. NMC is against public interest in the present form and needs to be overhauled.
Prof. Bhushan Kumar, Ex HOD Dermatology PGI Chandigarh said that Exit examination for MBBS students will lead to brain drain from the medical profession. Bright students who at present compete to get admission to MBBS course will now look for other professions because they suddenly will realize that the degree obtained after years of struggle has suddenly been devalued because similar rights and privileges will be available to AYUSH graduates who do a six months bridge course. The Quality of training of doctors will deteriorate substantially he said. Dr Ajay K Aggarwal , President of IMA Chandigarh said that IMA opposes the National Medical Commission Bill in its current form. To highlight the views of IMA and to draw attention of Press and public to the irreparable harm which will be caused by this Bill to the health of the nation, IMA Chandigarh is planning many activities he said. On 11th March IMA Chandigarh is planning to do a walkathon at sukhna lake at 7 AM on line with similar rallies being organized by members of IMA all over the country. Dr Neeraj Kumar President Elect IMA Chandigarh informed that IMA will thereafter hold a Public forum cum press meet at 9.00 AM at IMA Complex Sector 35 B Chandigarh where experts will enlighten the public regarding the NMC Bill and reasons why IMA opposes the same. Dr R S Bedi Ex Vice President IMA Headquarters gave many reasons why NMC Bill should not be passed in Parliament. He said that this Bill is undemocratic and usurps the Federal structure of Indian Constitution. The Council which will be formed under this Bill to replace the MCI will be not be representative of different segments of medical profession and will have predominantly handpicked nominees of MOHFW.Dr Neeraj Nagpal Convenor MLAG said that this Bill has pure financial objective to benefit owners of Private Medical Colleges. Summarizing the ill effects he said that the NMC Bill will
1) Produce poor quality of Doctors
2) Create unemployment among MBBS doctors who do not qualify the exit exam
3) Disincentive for development and promotion of Indian systems of Medicine
4) Increase cost of Medical Education
5) Increase corruption in the field of medical education
Government Needs to relook into the controversial National Medical Commision Bill which had been tabled in the Budget Session of the Parliament and is now with the standing committee of Parliament on Health .
The Indian Medical Association has taken upon itself to create awareness among the masses regarding NMC and the ways it will impact the health of the citizens of this country.
More than 25000 doctors are expected to participate in this peaceful awareness campaign all across the country at the same time on 11/03/18 culminating with the MAHAPANCHAYAT at New Delhi 25/03/18 where, representatives of all branches of the country will participate in the rally . Memorandum will be prepared which will be submitted to all concerned leaders. Similar protests will be taken out all over the
country on 25/03/18 where doctors will submit memorandum of demands to local authorities.
