Every year on 5th September, we pause to celebrate “Teacher’s Day”. For us, it is not just about honoring the teachers of our classrooms but also about acknowledging the mentors we meet throughout our medical journey — professors, seniors, colleagues, and even patients who silently shape our understanding. Medicine is a profession where every day is a lesson, and every person we meet has something to teach us. This spirit of learning and gratitude forms the foundation of our work at IMA.

Carrying this motive forward, we now stand at a historic moment — the 100th NATCON. The preparations are in full momentum, and the excitement is visible across Gujarat. Like students preparing for their final examinations, our teams are working day and night to ensure that this centenary celebration shines as one of the finest in IMA’s history. But just like in the classroom, success here too depends on teamwork. Every local branch has an important role, and we urge each one to come forward and make their contribution. When every branch adds its energy, the entire state will shine.

We have already plan the first steps on this journey. The pre-conference seminar, to be held with the collaboration of prestigious institutes, an excellent preview of what lies ahead. The discussions will be rich, the ideas innovative, and the participation heartening.

Looking ahead, we want NATCON 2025 to be more than just a conference. Our scientific sessions will highlight the latest advances in medicine, but they will also create space for medical students and young doctors. Their curiosity, their questions, and their fresh perspectives are what will carry our profession into the future. By giving them a platform, we are not only sharing knowledge but also nurturing tomorrow’s leaders.

It is a journey of discovery and inspiration. Imagine halls abuzz with the wisdom of eminent national and international faculties, where doctors will explore everything from hospital start-ups and advanced management, strategies to business-to-business collaborations and international medical tourism. It will be a place where knowledge meets innovation, experience meets curiosity, and ideas transform into action. Every session, every discussion, and every interaction will echo the spirit of progress, leaving participants energized to take their practices, institutions, and patient care to new heights. NATCON 100 is not just an event; it is a living story of medicine, vision, and the relentless pursuit of excellence — a legacy we are proud to continue and share with the world.

So as we write to you this month, We see NATCON 2025 as a story we are all co-authoring. A story where gratitude for our teachers leads us to prepare diligently, where unity across branches ensures success, where students and young doctors ind their voice.

Together, let us not just organize a conference but create a legacy that future g

For more information download bulletin PDF

As we step into another inspiring year, we are pleased to extend our heartfelt congratulations to the newly appointed Editorial Board of IMA Gujarat Medical Journal. Your dedication and vision will undoubtedly lead us to greater achievements in academics, research, and publications.

One of the key ways to contribute to our medical community is through research article submissions and paper presentations in the IMA Gujarat Journal. By submitting your work, you not only share your knowledge but also
Achieve Visibility, Your research gains exposure across a wide network of medical professionals, opening avenues for collaboration and recognition.

Showcase Expertise, Highlight your contributions and establish yourself as a thought leader in your field.
Inspire Innovation, Your findings can spark new ideas and encourage further advancements in medical practice.
We are also excited to introduce webinars and sessions on how to conduct and publish research. These sessions will guide you through every step of the process, from initiating a study to getting published, and will especially benefit our young doctors eager to grow academically.

To make these initiatives even more impactful, we encourage you to connect with our team and share any suggestions for specific seminar topics or webinars you would like to see. Your inputs are invaluable in shaping a well-rounded academic agenda that meets the needs of all members.

Together, let us create a dynamic and innovative medical community. Wishing you all a year filled with learning, collaboration, and success.

For more information download bulletin PDF

Dear Friends,
Season’s Greetings from Gujarat Medical Journal, IMA-GSB ! We are thankful to all the central council members of GSB IMA for putting their faith, trust and confidence in us and giving the charge of prestigious Gujarat Medical Journal (GMJ) for this year. On our side, we promise to see that the faith and trust that is put in us is full filled and for that, we shall try our best.

For more download the bulletin issue of November JOURNAL 2023

Respected Members,

Season’s Greetings !!

“Third wave of COVID-19 Pandemic” is now under control.
Fortunately morbidity & mortality was less in this wave, thanks to good vaccination coverage and our own immunity. Still we have to be very cautious and observe all precautions; as advised by government authority.

As a medical practitioners, we all have served our patients, to the best of our ability.

You all deserve special appreciation for your active efforts in controling this 3rd wave of Pandemic. 

On 19th February, 2022 ; we had attended all State Branch President/Secretaries Meeting at IMA Head Quarters, New Delhi. We had presented our branch activities & our future plans. Everybody appreciated our efforts and success of our “Membership Drive”.

We had organized “State Working Committee” meeting on 26th February-2022 at SOU ECO Resort, Ektanagar (Kevadiaya). This meeting was very well attended by more then 60 SWC members & more then 35 spouse & children. I am thankful to all SWC members for their active participation in this important meeting.

Recent Ukraine crisis have caused detrimental effect on our UG Medical Students aboard. We expect some amicable solution from NMC and Central Government for their further studies. “Heat Wave” has already started. All are requested to take care of yourself and your near and dear ones.

High temperatures could lead to heat exhaustion, especially for those spending a lot of time outdoors. “The human body sweats to reduce its core temperature in a normal situation. In the case of a heat wave, the body’s core temperature increases, because of prolonged sun exposure or physical exertion in high temperatures. Heatstroke occurs when a person’s body temperature rises to 104 degrees F (40 degrees Celsius) or higher — a condition most common in the summer months.

“Some common symptoms of heat exhaustion include high body temperature, nausea, altered mental state, changes in sweating patterns, rapid breathing and severe headache. While heat exhaustion is preventable and rarely life-threatening, untreated heatstroke can quickly damage your brain, heart, kidneys, and muscles. The damage worsens when treatment is delayed, increasing the risk of serious complications or death. If a person has symptoms of heat exhaustion, it is important to seek immediate medical care, especially if the situation does not improve in an hour,”

My personal appeal to all Local Branch President / Secretaries.
(1) Have a strong bonding with Specialty Associations. Organize more & more programmes in collaboration with them.

(2) Ensure “Beti Bachavo Beti Padhavo” drive and organize more Community Programmes; keeping this drive in mind.

(3) Please actively implement “Aao Gaon Chale” Programme. Try to reach & serve more & more Rural Patients.

(4) Do proactive effort for “Membership Drive” and bring more and more Young Doctors under umbrella of IMA.

(5) Organize Comunity Activities like “Blood Donation Camp”, “Pledge for Organ Donation”, Awareness Programmes on Cancer, Programmes on “TB Eradication”, Prevention of Bliness”, Awareness Programmes on Lifestyle Disease, Use &misuse of Social Media, Prevention of Obesity in Children & Adolescents, Awareness Programme on Adult Vaccination etc. 

Your Constructive suggestions and feedback is always welcome.

We appreciate all branches and Women Doctors of our Association; for their active participation & organizing many programmes for the benefit of females on Auspicious Occasion of “International Women’s Day” celebrations; on 8 March 2022.

At the End,
“Every time we fall and get up, We are one step close to Success,
Even failures make us move Forward, so don’t be afraid of Failures.
“TOGETHER WE WILL ACHIEVE”.

For more information download Journal PDF

Dear Members,
India with the proactive leadership of Honourable Prime Ministerji and dedicated altruistic services of
Modern Medical fraternity has literally just walking out of the disastrous second wave of Covid pandemic.
With the global evidence available and the history of any pandemics the third wave is inevitable and
imminent. But the past experience of last one and half years of war with the virus and based on the
emerging evidences it is obvious with making the universal vaccination reach maximum possible
population and strictly adopting to Covid appropriate behaviours we can face the third wave with
confidence and mitigate its impact. However, it is painful to note in this crucial time every one need to
work for the mitigation of third wave, in many parts of the country both government and public are
complacent and engaged in mass gatherings without following Covid protocols. Tourist bonanza,
pilgrimage travel, religious fervour all are needed, but can wait for few more months. Opening up these
rituals and enabling people without vaccination to go scot free in these mass gatherings are potential
super spreaders for the Covid third wave. The consequences of treating a patient with covid in hospital
and its impacts on the economy will be much better than the economic loss we suffer with avoiding such
mass gathering it is the duty and responsibility of every one at this moment to strictly enforce the covid
appropriate behaviours for minimum three more months and ensure every one nearer to our house are
getting vaccinated. IMA appeal to state Government to translate the vision of Honourable Prime
Ministerji and control any mass gatherings in our state.

IMA welcome the decision by the Government to conduct NEET PG examinations on 11th September.
The Ministry and the National Board of examination of Medical Science are taking all possible steps to
conduct the exams with adequate Covid protocol and the exams are scheduled to be held in 260 cities
and 800 test centers across the country. This will enable almost all the doctors get their exam center at
their place of choice. Now it is also important to scale up the process of result publication, counseling and
starting of the courses to be as quick as possible and hoping to welcome the new postgraduates by the
end of October. The country is in need of manpower in all medical colleges as the final year
postgraduates have already on the process of completing their exams.

Along with the center merit list the state merit list shall be also published and all states shall be also
motivated to complete the process of admission as per the schedule and guidance. Nearly 1.76 lakhs
students are going to participate in this NEET PG examination and IMA wish all the best to them. As the
central INCET exams will be over by July 22, the admission process for the All India and state quota shall
go without much difficulty.

For more information download Bulletin PDF

Dear Members,

India being a democratic country and when parliament in its wisdom has created various systems of medicine as
unique fields as per the constitutions and its scheduled degrees can a visa to practice one system can be given by
the authority of another system? AYUSH Ministry and the CCIM have jurisdictions for practice AYUSH Medicine, how they are privileged to give direction or amendment to one to practice another domain? Is the CCIM is above the
wisdom and authority of parliament ?

Indian healthcare & Indian doctors have earned the peak positions in the world healthcare scenario. IMA is
against Mixopathy. Though there are many systems of medicine, Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani etc., the modern
medicine has evolved as a system of medicine adopted system of medicine used by almost 96% of Indian
population based on sustained research & constant upgradation. We welcome & propose that all our traditional
systems should strive hard & make themselves more people centered & evidence based. Now there is shift in the
government policy; instead of promoting the systems, a new method of Mixopathy, in which systems which are
mutually unrelated in principles & mode of operandi are integrated together as a one system. IMA acknowledge
Indian population may need different systems of medicine for different conditions of diseases. However, we oppose
strongly the proposal to make single doctor practicing all systems together. IMA has launched the freedom struggle
of modern medicine from the forces of Mixopathy. IMA appeals to the Government to consider the sensitivity of the
medical fraternity and take appropriate steps & also to ensure purity of various system of medicine, enhance
research to unearth the depth of traditional Ayurveda system and develop surgical principles and procedures akin
to Avurveda, empower teaching milieu and manpower in Ayurveda before making halfhearted attempt to produce
partially trained Mixopathy surgeons and play on the health of our country.

IMA is constrained today to intensify the agitation as the steps towards implementing Mixopathy are not being
taken back. Indian Medical Association has given immediate directives to all members across the country to start
‘SAVE HEALTHCARE INDIA MOVEMENT’. Under this National movement, IMA has launched massive awareness
drive across the country as this is the clear threat to safety of healthcare of people.  Pan India Relay Hunger
Strike – IMA members & modern medicine doctors across the country has done relay hunger strike from February
1, 2021 to February 14, 2021. Under this call, various local branches of IMA GSB has organised IMA Relay Hunger
Strike and Protest during this period. From 1 to 3 February, Ahmedabad ; 4 February, Kalol;,.5-6 February, Surat; 7
February Himatnagar and Mehsana; 8-9 February, Vadodara; 10 February, Rajkot; 11-12 February, Jamnagar; &
13-14 February, Bhavnagar has organised successfully. About 20 IMA members from State has participated in
Hunger Strike at IMA HQ, New Delhi on 13-14 February

The global voice of modern medicine shall echo the feelings of Indian Medical Association and its all members.
Medical Students’ Network (MSN), Junior Doctors’ Network (JDN), IMA Womens’ Wing, IMA Hospital Board,
In-service Doctors, Medical Colleges has participated & constructed this massive National Movement. IMA will fight
this war for safeguarding healthcare of our country. Now it is peoples’ war to save quality & safety of our healthcare
IMA begins its ‘SAVE HEALTHCARE INDIA MOVEMENT’.
Long Live IMA, Jai IMA

For more information download Journal PDF

Dear Members,
Seasons Greetings,

With unlock 3.0, the people have relaxed, winter is approaching when a new wave is expected. We have seen that
summer had no effect on the number of cases.
There are six strains of the coronavirus: L strain (original strain in Wuhan), strains S, V, G, GR, and GH. Strain G and its
related strains GR and GH are the most common. In North America, the most widespread strain is GH, while in South
America we find the GR strain more frequently. In Asia, where the Wuhan L strain initially appeared, the spread of strains G,
GH and GR is increasing. Globally, strains G, GH and GR are constantly increasing. Strain S can be found in some restricted
areas in the US and Spain. The L and V strains are gradually disappearing (Science Daily). Up to 30% of
additions/substitution can occur in the same strain. If the virus undergoes 70% mutation, it becomes a new virus.When we
define a surge, we should consider few points: Is it a new mutation? Is it a new strain? How does a virus behave? Is it a
superspreader? The surge can be due to a new virus, same virus but mutated and same virus but local spread
(superspreader, Dharavi). If surge is due to a new strain, the mortality may be different and higher initially. If it is a surge in
existing strain, then spread will be high, but mortality will be low.

RT PCR detects viral antigens (E, S, M, ORF, NS, RDRP); if e antigen is negative, no corona. All labs do not test for all
antigens. If the kits test for multiple antigens, the sensitivity of the test is higher. This will reduce the chances of false
negative result. Cohort pooled Ct value high, this means that the virus is getting attenuated. Ct value cannot be the only
basis of the report (ICMR), it has to be combined with clinical interpretation; Ct value can change according to the kit used;
it may be operator dependent. The cut-off value must also be mentioned. It is important for clinicians to know the viral
load. Family cluster may have varied symptoms. But, people are not coming forward. Prevention is very important, but it is
not 100% preventable; our concern is to also reduce the mortality. All efforts today are towards reducing the infection and
less effort in reducing the mortality.

Western models will not work in India. We should learn from each other about things that are unique to India.It is
important to identify Day 1. CT scan can become positive on Day 3. If RT PCR report is not available or it may be false
positive, then CT becomes important. Don’t wait for day 5, as complications may set in by this time. One must act on day 3.

Since couple of days in Ahmedabad and Surat and few other parts of Gujarat cases of covid-19 are decreasing . Easily
patients get Hospital admission as well as necessary medicines and injections. Mortality rate in public is around two to
three percents. Till now at all India level more than 20 lacs people suffered from covid-19 and there are 43,000 death
amongst them. At all India 1500 doctors are affected with covid-19 and we lost 200 doctors. So death ratio is more than
10% among medical fraternity. This is a alarming situation. More than 75% of doctors are above the age of 50 years , and
more than 50% members are general practitioners. So we should analyse this situations.
Few points which are observed are the viral load and more contact time. Doctors are constantly exposed to patients so
viral load is more. The patients like to spend more time with the doctor so more contact time in a small cabin also lead to
more infection. Overburden, insufficient sleep, insufficient rest, irregular in food, anxiety and stress lead to lack of
Nutrition, lack of resistance power and more vulnerable for infection. Comorbid conditions diabetes, blood pressure ,self
medication overconfidence, delay in getting attention may also contribute to this condition. We wish that all the private
practitioners must be taking all precautions to avoid any infection. To solve this issue doctors above the age of 60 years,
doctors above the age of 50 years with comorbid condition must stop the practice.
Long Live IMA, Jai IMA

For more information download Bulletin PDF

Dear Memberes
Seasons greetings.
Every body enjoying monsoon particularly south Gujarat and Saurashtra regions friends. Our
journey of this month started on 1st July celebrating as a doctors day. We are feeling proud that our
noble profession is celebrated as a Doctors day all over India.
On 1st July, Ahmedabad Medical Association arranged AMACON at AMA house with wonderful
scientific programs. We had inaugurated this program. On this occasion, Women Doctors Wing
(WDW) installation ceremony arranged. Dr Bhupendra Shah had installed WDW under leadership of
Dr Monaben Desai as a chairperson and Dr Gargi Maheshbhai as a secretary. We congratulate whole
team and best wishes for their new journey . We assured whole hearted support .
On Doctors day, many local branches had organized blood donation camp as a part of Doctors
day celebration from 1st July to 7th July. Himatnagar branch also organized blood donation camp and
its branch member Dr Dilip Pujara had donated 75th time on this day. Many local branches had
arranged press conference and public awareness program against violence and zero tolerance as per
guidelines of IMA headquarters.
Our PPS Managing Director, Dr Bipinbhai And Dr Anilbhai Nayak had chaired and inaugurated
PPS seminar at Surat.

Happy winter season .
It give us immense pleasure to publish Gujarat Medical Journal this month.

It is matter of pride that Dr Bhupendra Shah is going to be installed as a Vice President, IMA HQ in IMA NATCON 2017 at Mumbai.

We congratulate our Immediate Past President Dr Yogendra Modi and his team for wonderful work and dedication for GSB IMA during last year.

Dr Yogendra Modi will be awarded IMA National President’s Appreciation Award for Best Adjudged President of State Branch for the year 2016-17 in recognition of his services rendered by him during the year.
We also congratulate our Team IMA GSB for getting Distinguished Service Award for Action and Also IMA News Bulletin Award. Kudos to Team IMA GSB.

Recently Union cabinet effectively ended the era of Medical Council of India. The citadel of modern medicine which initiated every young man and woman to the noble profession to alleviate the pain and suffering will cease to exist.

The glorious era of MCI which produced doctors of international caliber to serve the humankind as global doctors will come to an end. It will be replaced by a near total Government department called National Medical Commission

IMA has been opposing NMC in its present form.
Devoid of federal character this non-representative half non-medical body will be a poor substitute for the MCI.
NMC will not represent the medical profession of India.

• Instituting a Medical Licentiate exam after qualifying in final MBBS exam is an injustice. It is highly  insensitive to the plight of medical students who even otherwise must undergo a long and tortuous academic career chequered with highly competitive exams.

• Anywhere in the world, medical profession is bestowed with reasonable autonomy. Patient care and Patient safety are the main benefits of such autonomy.
• Regulators need to have autonomy and be independent of the administrators. The National Medical Commission will be a regulator appointed by the administrators under their direct control.
• It abolishes Medical Council of India and along with possibly the section 15 of IMC Act which says that the basic qualification to practice modern medicine is MBBS.
• It takes away the voting right of every doctor in India to elect their medical council. Medical council of India is a representative body of the medical profession in India. Any registered medical practitioner in the country can contest the election and every qualified doctor can vote. Abolishing a democratic institution and replacing it by a body in which majority are nominated by the Government is certainly a retrograde step.
• It allows the private medical colleges to charge at free will nullifying whatever solace NEET brought. The Government can fix the fee for only 40 percent of the seats in private medical colleges.

• The federal character of MCI is not found in NMC. All the state Governments have representation in MCI. Only 5 states in rotation will have representation in NMC. It will take two decades for a state to re-enter NMC.
• All universities teaching medicine are members of MCI. This has been abolished in NMC.
• All state medical councils which are sovereign bodies constituted by state legislatures have been made subservient to NMC striking a blow to the federal nature of the nation.
• Professional organizations like IMA are registered under Societies Act. In no way their independence and freedom of action could be subjected to Government control. In fact, they remain the only whistle blowers, being the voice of voiceless in the issues of Health. Such corrective forces are part and parcel of the democratic forces in the country. NMC has been vested with powers to control all professional bodies.
• IMA representative is in DNB board but not in NMC
• It inducts non-medical people into the highest body of medical governance changing its perspective and character for ever.
• It introduces schedule IV to allow AYUSH graduates to get registration in Modern Medicine.
• It opens the floodgates of PG seats in modern medicine to AYUSH graduates in future by providing registration to them in schedule IV.
• It directly affects Patient Care and Patient Safety by allowing graduates of other systems to practice modern medicine.
• This is not the first time that the Government has made such a move. In 2005, the then Union health minister, Dr Anbumani Ramadoss, tried unsuccessfully to bring in a legislation to dissolve the MCI and set up another council under the control of the Health Ministry. The parliamentary standing committee rejected it because any regulatory body should be devoid of Government control or else it would lose its independent regulatory mechanism. It is pertinent to note that in its exhaustive report the standing committee took exception to the attempt by the Government of India to centralize the powers with itself and reduce a Body of Experts created for a distinct purpose by a Parliamentary enactment into a Department working under the Government of India.

IMA appeals to the Prime Minister to recall the Bill and rectify these anomalies. The Parliament has a larger role to protect the interest of the medical profession of the country. The welfare and the independence of the profession is linked to the welfare of the people.
We will do the best for our patients. We are applying our knowledge and skills for the benefit of patients and their recovery. But responses to treatment is individualized. We hope this jounral definitely update your knowledge and skills.
We wishes upcoming new year 2018 will be prosperous and healthy and your patients get recover fast.
Long Live IMA

Dear Friends,
Hope this Gujarat Medical Journal finds you in the best of your health and spirit. While this journal reaches to your hand, it might have completed year 2016 and year 2017 begins with a new Hope. May this New Year brings joy and prosperity in your life.
Friends, as you all are aware that the whole medical fraternity is passing through a very hard phase. With the advent of new draconian and absurd laws enforced, sorry state of medical education, rapid commercialization, onslaught of corporate hospitals, falling image we doctors have become a favorite whipping boy of the society, government and press. Nobody is ready to look at the issue comprehensively and address the problems considering the total scenario. Everybody tries to find a temporary and quick solution and it is creating more and more problems.

For more download the bulletin issue of December JOURNAL 2016