Nagpur : IMA vows to provide MBBS doctors for rural health centres

Nagpur: Indian Medical Association (IMA) has come out with a Health Manifesto ahead of the general elections. While IMA has opposed some ideas of present government like ‘Health and Wellness Centres’ (HWCs), it has resolved to provide enough number of MBBS doctors in case the government continues to implement it.

“The idea of HWCs has to be reconsidered. If at all established, these centres should be manned by MBBS graduates only. MBBS doctors are ready to work in rural areas and IMA can facilitate availability of manpower to these centres. There should be a board to recruit MBBS graduates for this purpose,” said Dr Santanu Sen, national president of IMA in an official statement.

The Central government, under its ambitious Ayushman Bharat plan, has decided to establish 1.5 lakh HWCs across the country. Owing to shortage of MBBS doctors to head these centres, the government has allowed respective states to appoint AYUSH doctors. However, IMA is opposing this move.

“We want the government to provide scientific and authorized health care to people. No unscientific mixing of treatment system should be promoted. Abolish bridge course to prevent creating a separate class of doctors for the underprivileged. Strong policy and legislation regarding unauthorized treatments should be formed,” says the 15-point manifesto issued by the IMA.

IMA officials are confident they can provide MBBS doctors for primary health care. “IMA has branches in 29 States and 4 Union Territories. It has over 3,25,000 doctors as its direct members through more than 1,750 active local branches and another 5 lakh indirect members through its wings. If proper policy and recruitment board is formed, shortage of MBBS doctors will end,” said Dr Sen, who is also chairman of the Health Manifesto Committee of IMA.

IMA has also raised many other issues like increasing public health expenses, capping fees of private medical colleges, and single window clearance for laws and regulations for health care establishments.

IMA will launch a countrywide ‘Health First’ campaign to propagate this manifesto among the candidates, political parties and the public. Nagpur branch of IMA will also organize public meetings and seminars and invite candidates contesting Lok Sabha elections here.

Surprisingly, the IMA’s manifesto has no mention of the opposition to the proposed National Medical Commission (NMC) abolishing the existing Medical Council of India (MCI). Earlier, IMA had opposed the Central government’s proposal to abolish MCI claiming it was established at par with international practices and should not be scrapped.