Doctors take NMC Bill fight to New Delhi streets

Hyderabad: As part of Indian Medical Association's (IMA) call for week-long nationwide protests opposing the National Medical Commission Bill, doctors from various States including Telangana assembled in New Delhi and continued their agitation demanding that the NDA government rethink on its plans.

In the national capital, Dr Prathap Reddy, Dr Sanjeev Singh and others from IMA Telangana unit were joined by doctors and resident doctors from Hyderabad including Dr K Mahesh Kumar (HRDA), Dr G Srinivas (NIMS RDA) etc. They along with IMA units from other States staged a two-hour protest in front of AIIMS.

Holding placards and banners that read "we oppose anti-poor NMC bill" doctors shouted slogans against the Centre's decision. Later, all doctors proceeded to Nirman Bhawan where they staged a protest and were taken into custody by the police, who released them later.

Meanwhile, Dr B Prathap Reddy, IMA Telangana president fainted during the dharna held at AIIMS. Other doctors attended to him and ensured he recovered.

While the majority of States are opposing the bill, some local associations in Delhi and BJP ruled States are speaking in support of it, which the doctors say is negligible. IMA national vice president Dr Narsing Reddy said doctors across the country were on a single page on this issue.

They all are opposing the anti-poor bill that has some clauses, not in the interest of the doctors' fraternity. As far as the voices, negligible to say, that are speaking in favour of it is concerned, they are doing so due to political pressure.

IMA units in all States are opposing NMC, he said. It may be mentioned here that DMA (Delhi Medical Association), which is not connected to IMA is supporting the bill.

Sources stated that this development was mainly due to the fact that Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan represents Delhi and the doctors' community there enjoys good relations with the Minister.

Hence, they are speaking in favour of the bill, it is being speculated. On the other hand, the NMC bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on Monday evening and it now awaits a big test in Rajya Sabha.