IMA calls 3 Lakh medical students for Indefinite Strike against NMC Bill

NEW DELHI, MARCH 26 : The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called 10 Lakh doctors and nearly three Lakh medical students to participate in the nationwide strike against the National Medical Commission Bill on April 2.

The resolution was passed during the ‘Mahapanchayat’ called by the IMA in which around 25,000 doctors from all over the country participated. The IMA doctors are protesting against the recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the National Medical Commission Bill.

Dr. Ravi Wankhedkar, National President, IMA said, “Even if the government doesn't agree and the cabinet decides to pass the NMC Bill, the entire medical fraternity of 10 lakh doctors and 3 lakh medical students will go on an indefinite strike.”

The doctors are protesting against the Bill as they are claiming that once this Bill is approved the quality of medical education in the country will go down because of the provision of Bridge course.

The doctors are also worried that once this Bill becomes an Act the MCI will cease to exist and will be replaced by National Medical Commission which will be controlled by the government because all the members of this Commission will be appointed by the Government.

The NMC bill proposes to allow practitioners of alternative medicines, such as Homeopathy and Ayurveda to practice Modern Medicine once they complete a "bridge course". The Bill also proposes for National Licentiate Examination (NLE) be made compulsory for any MBBS doctor to practice medicine.