IMPHAL, June 22: State doctors have decided to abstain from duties on June 25 in protest against the introduction of the National Commission for Human Resources in Health Bill 2011.
Speaking to members of the media today President of Indian Medical Association, Manipur State Branch Dr Kh Palin Singh said that the NCHRH Bill-2011 is not in the interest of the medical community and it would become a hindrance in providing health service to the public.
Dr Kh Palin is also the Chairman cum Managing Director of Shija Hospitals.
According to Dr Palin, the Bill will affect the functioning of medical practitioners in the state and across the country and it would lead to dilution of the powers of the Medical Council of India, Dental Council , Pharmacist Council and Nursing Council.
All the Councils will be governed by the proposed Commission which will be managed by the nominees of the Government and not by the elected persons in the medical profession. Further, actions taken by the Commission cannot be challenged in any court of law.
Dr Palin said, “While the global trend is of decentralizing medical services India is going for a centralized system in the health sector. If this bill becomes an Act, the health administration will be in the hands of the bureaucrats rather than medical professionals.”
The provisions of the Bill would curtail doctors from doing any other occupation as it defines the engagement of medical professionals in any business or occupation other than the health profession as misconduct. The Bill would prohibit all career opportunities other than medicine and would be an infringement on the basic rights of a citizen of the country.
Doctors are at present attending to the needs of the public and emergencies of the locality at their homes or at their respective institutions which will no longer be possible if the proposed Act comes into force, he said.
Doctor Palin appealed to all those in the medical profession to join the protest which will be held in front of the State Medical Directorate on Monday.
“We appeal to all medical practitioners both from the Government and private institutions to stop their routine work and join us in the protest”, Palin said while adding that emergency services will continue as usual.
A memorandum urging the Governor, Chief Minister and MPS will be submitted to ensure that the Clinical Establishment Bill is not passed by the Legislative Assembly of the State.