Doctors’ bandh against new medical bill hits services

​Tirupati: Medical services were badly hit with all the private hospitals and nursing homes observing bandh on Saturday protesting against the National Medical Commission Bill which was tabled in Lok Sabha which may be passed on Monday. Though emergency services were not affected out-patient services were stopped by the doctors. The NMC Bill has kicked up a controversy ever since it was mooted by the Central government to replace the MCI.    

It has been drawing flak from all quarters. The main objection is that NMC will not remain a professional body whereas MCI was a professional one. Of the 25 members in the NMC only four doctors will find place and the remaining are bureaucrats and others to be nominated by the government who cannot discuss and take a call on issues relating to medical fraternity and issues in delivery of medical services.

After the Indian Medical Association was up in the arms against the Bill countrywide, the government has referred it to a select committee, which has recommended 34 amendments to it. However, without taking any of these changes into consideration, the government has been going ahead with the Bill, and moved it in Lok Sabha, said Andhra Pradesh Private Nursing Homes Association (APPNA) state president and IMA state president-elect Dr D Srihari Rao.