May 2019

Dear Members,

Season’s Greetings.

Medical fraternity faces many challenges. The main challenge came from NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog. Taking another step on the concept of mid level practitioners, NITI Aayog is engaged in expanding medical education in India by bridging Dentists to become medical doctors. There is no consideration of the patient at all. What will happen to his/ her wellbeing? Patients are not mere numbers. Patient care and patient safety are important considerations. In their hurry to do something the amount of harm that is unleashed on patients is forgotten. It is also a myth to say that India needs more doctors. Adequate number of MBBS graduates comes out every year.

It is unfortunate that NITI Aayog and the Governments have turned a blind eye to the surplus qualified manpower available. Governments after Governments are recruiting MBBS doctors on adhoc basis and on contract denying them permanent employment. If this is not exploitation what else is? To convert 1,50.000 modern medicine sub centres into wellness centres staffed with AYUSH and paramedicals through Bridge Courses is injustice. No credible data has been provided by NITI Aayog or the Governments to prove the shortage of doctors. IMA declares that there is a surplus of qualified doctors in the country.

lIMA demands that MBBS graduates should be recruited into Government service on permanent basis as Government servants. The 1,50,000 wellness centres should be staffed with MBBS graduates. The concept of Bridge course has been evolved out of the myth of lack of qualified doctors.

IMA also demands comprehensive review, repeal and reconception of PCPNDT Act. Nothing short of this can be acceptable to the medical profession. This  Black Law has miserably failed in achieving its objectives in the 24 years of its dubious existence. The layman’s approach of the ill conceived legislation has only resulted in unending harassment of every single practising Obstetrician and Radiologist in the country. Inspite of harsh implementation the law has miserably failed in restoring the sex ratio of the country.

Hitting out on singling out the ultrasound machine and the doctors as the source of evil by the law, the law suffered from serious conceptual flaws and a layman’s approach. Attempting to address the social evil by quarantining the ultrasound machine and painting the doctors black was bound to be a failure. After wasting thousands of crores of public money and harassing an entire generation of doctors the law has nothing to show. The sex ratio of the country has infact deteriorated. Urgent course correction is warranted. Social determinants of the issue have to be addressed.

Presuming that every Obstetrician and Radiologist is culpable of sex selection and female foeticide is unacceptable. Culpability of the involved couple and the family should be brought under the majesty of the law as well. Action against quackery and illegal abortion industry are in order. Social movements for empowering the Girl Child should be funded by the Government.

No movement for the Girl child can succeed without the partnership and whole hearted support of the medical profession. Enormous goodwill and activism exists inside the medical profession for the cause of the Girl Child. Instead of tapping the goodwill of the medical profession, this law has alienated doctors from Day one. Time has come to review the effectiveness of the law in addressing the issue. To repeal the current law and reconceive one with equal responsibility and participation of everyone concerned will be the right way to go. The medical profession reserves the right to withdraw appropriate services and resist all the harassments and injustice inflicted on it.