Proposed national medical commission, NMC, IMA to stage protest against

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Nov 15,2016: Briefing media on Nov 14,  Monday, IMA Mangaluru branch President Dr Raghavendra Bhat, stated  that in protest of the  proposed National Medical Commission (NMC) which will replace Medical Council of India (MCI), the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Mangaluru branch, will stage a protest at 11 am here on November 16.  It is a part of nation-wide protest by all 30 state branches and 1,765 local branches of IMA, to stop the constitution of the NMC.

He added that "If we are prohibited to stage a protest owing to prohibitory orders in the district, we will submit a memorandum to the DK DC."

Dr Bhat said the draft bill of the NMC is prepared by a committee comprising bureaucrats who do not have medicine background. The MCI is a self-regulated body, supported by the Act of Legislature. The MCI is governed by the Medical Council of India Act, 1956. If the NMC is constituted, then the present election process of appointing regulators is compromised as all the members to the NMC will be nominated by the government. The NMC will have more of non-medical professionals rather than the doctors, he felt.

The other demands of the IMA are suitable amendment to MCI Act to increase its autonomous status, a Central act against violence on doctors and hospitals, amendment to Consumer Protection Act to cap the compensation, suitable amendment to Clinical Establishments Act to act against quacks practising allopathic medicine and suitable amendment to Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act to overcome the problem of clerical errors.  The protest is as yet uncertain due to section 144 till Nov 17 in DK district.