IMA opposes Centre's proposal

T'puram: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has come out against the Centre's proposal for introducing geriatric nursing practitioners.

"The Indian Medical Association states that the central govt's proposal for geriatric nursing practitioners is unacceptable in modern medical practice. According to the National Medical Council's guidelines, the basic qualification for examining and treating patients in modern medicine is an MBBS degree," said IMA state president Dr Joseph Benavan.

The IMA strongly protests against the attempt to describe nursing graduates as doctors after imparting nursing education under the nursing council. The branch of nursing study has its own structure and possibilities, he added.

IMA said that denying career opportunities to modern medicine graduates and placing unfit and unqualified individuals will be resisted at all costs. The nursing profession and the nursing council are meant to stand with the intention of supporting the work of doctors in a commendable manner. IMA believes that nurses and the nursing council will not succumb to such temptations, said IMA state secretary Dr K Shashidharan.

The IMA leaders urged the govt to take necessary measures to make use of the services of doctors in the field of geriatric medicine. Govt and the medical council should be ready to begin more and enough postgraduate courses in geriatric medicine and family medicine. That way, new opportunities will be created for young medical graduates. Also, if more institutions start geriatric nursing courses, that will also be beneficial for nurses, they added.

Regardless of this, an attempt to create fake treatment and create misunderstanding and confusion between doctors and nurses will invite strong protest and agitation, said IMA the office-bearers.