IMA CWC demands urgent implementation of their demands

·        Taking forward from the Dilli Chalo movement, there will be a mass fasting by doctors in India on 2^nd October

New Delhi, 24 September, 2017: As an outcome of an Action Group meeting, and later ratified by the Central Working Committee meeting the IMA will organize a dawn-to-dusk fast throughout the country on 2 October 2017.

The fast is a move towards drawing the government and people's attention to the violence in hospitals. Through this peaceful protest, the IMA also aims to reinforce its demand for Central Hospital Protection Act and the implementation of the inter-ministerial committee recommendations, which were a result of two years persistent efforts of IMA with the ministry.

Earlier the Dilli Chalo movement in June this year saw participation by over 100,000 both in person and through digital media. The IMA also initiated a signature campaign on the issues at hand on social media for doctors, to demand justice from the government.

The 218th meeting of IMA's Central Working Committee (CWC) in New Delhi, on the sidelines of the Centenary Celebrations of Medical Conferences held at The Grand Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, also discussed the status of the demands raised by the IMA as part of the Dilli Chalo campaign. 

Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, National President Indian Medical Association (IMA) and President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Dr RN Tandon – Honorary Secretary General IMA in a joint statement, said, "The IMA is the only national voluntary organization representing the collective consciousness of doctors of modern scientific system of medicine in the country, with its Headquarters in New Delhi. In line with our resolution of upholding the interest of the medical profession, many issues were raised during the Dilli Chalo movement. The inter-ministerial committee considered our demands. However, the fact is that in medical profession the actions need to be implemented without wait. Violence against doctors continues, rights of the medical fraternity are trampled upon, and there is no action taken towards modifying draconian acts. This meeting is an urgent call for action, and till such time our efforts will not subside.”

The concept of IMA was born out of these conferences in response to a need of a national organization of doctors. A resolution adopted at the 5th All India Medical conference held at Calcutta in the year 1928 led to the formation of an All India Medical Association. The objectives were to improve medical education, promote medical and allied sciences in their different branches and safeguard interests of the medical profession.

Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, said, “This CWC meeting assumes importance as it is a landmark year for the Association and also because it is time to work further to uphold the dignity of this profession. Towards this, on2nd October, all doctors of modern medicine in the country will undertake a dawn to dusk fast in continuation of our Dilli Chalo movement. The fast will be held in Delhi; Sabarmati, Gujarat; and Wardha, Maharashtra.”

Following are the demands of the medical fraternity.

·         Criminal prosecution of medical negligence and clerical errors

·         Stringent central act against violence on doctors

·         Capping the compensation in CPA on doctors

·         Professional autonomy in treatment and prescriptions

·         Amendments in PC PNDT, Central CEA, West Bengal CEA Acts

·         No unscientific mixing of systems of medicine

·         Empower MBBS graduates

·         One drug - One company - One price

·         Implement inter-ministerial committee recommendations in six weeks

·         Single window accountability

·         Single window registration of doctors and medical establishments

·         No to NMC: Amend IMC act to maintain professional autonomy

·         Uniform final MBBS exam instead of ‘NEXT’

·         Uniform service conditions for service doctors & faculty

·         Same work - Same pay - Pay parity - No to adhocism

·         Fair conduction of NEET exam

·         IMA member in every government health committee

·         Central anti-quackery law

·         Reimbursement of emergency services provided by private sector

·         25000 family medicine PG seats

·         Aided hospitals and retainer ship in general practice

·         Health budget of 5 % of GDP for universal health coverage