August 2019

Dear Members,
Season’s Greetings.

The struggle against NMC has reached a crucial cross junction. It is true that the odds against the medical profession seem insurmountable. In our struggle for independence several such cross roads had arisen. The collective will and determination of the people of India ultimately succeeded in attaining freedom in 1947.

IMA emergency action committee had proclaimed on Sunday 4th August, 2019 a nationwide withdrawal of services on Thursday 8th August, 2019. Medical students and Resident Doctors are on war path. IMA Gujarat State Branch was ready. A delegation of IMA under the leadership of IMA National President, Dr. Santanu Sen along with other senior leaders, medical student representatives and junior doctors met with Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare. In view of the certain clarifications and assurances given by him and considering the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir, heavy flood situation in North East, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat and other parts of the country as well as untimely sad demise of former Union Health Minister Mrs. Sushma Swaraj and the need for further dialogue and creating awareness about hazards of certain provisions of NMC, IMA defers its call for withdrawal of services to a later date of choice.

Dark clouds might have overshadowed the medical profession temporarily now. Like the Indian freedom struggle we will redeem our profession by civil resistance and sacrifice. Our freedom struggle starts now.

IMA resolves to fight the deleterious clauses of the National Medical Commission Act 2019 to its last. It is our duty to the generations of medical students of this country. IMA baptized in the freedom struggle of India is entirely capable of defending the Health of our people.

IMA appeals to all the sections of the medical fraternity, medical students, Resident doctors, Private practitioners, Government doctors, Doctors in uniform and central services, Insurance sector, Medical colleges etc to fight under the banner of Indian Medical Association. IMA reaches out especially to the younger generation of medical students and Residents to join this call at the moment of crisis.

IMA demands :-

• Deletion of section 32, 50 and 51 (Quackery and cross pathy)
• Clarity and modification of sections 15 and 10.1 (I) (Exams and capitation fee)
• Amendments in section 29.3, 28.7, section 46, 10d and of as well as section 8.2 (Quality of medical education, autonomy of states and non medical person as Secretary)
• Numerous inconsistencies and anti-people provisions also have to be modified and amended.

IMA will consult with all the stakeholders especially the medical students and Resident Doctors on further course of action. On behalf of Gujarat State Branch we are thankful to IMA Local Branches, IMA Leaders, IMA Members, the Federation of Government doctors organisations, Government Doctors organisations of different States, Organisations of Medical teachers, Organisations of Insurance doctors, Organisations of Private doctors and Hospitals, Speciality organisations under FOMA and other organisations which have stood with IMA in this crucial hour and appeal for continued solidarity in the struggle. The role of IMA MSN and IMA JDN is specially

Congratulations to the entire Medical fraternity.
Long Live IMA