Non-emergency and OPD services closed on July 28:Indian Medical Association

Vijayawada: With the BJP-led NDA government showing no favour towards the doctors' plea on disallowing of National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill 2017, and the Central government was going ahead with the enactment of the NMC. 

The IMA has decided to withdraw non-emergency medical services across the country on July 28 from 6 am to 6 pm. All state branches, local branches and individual members are directed to implement the ‘Plan of Action’, said Dr Dr Ravindra S Wankhedkar, national president Indian Medical Association (IMA). 

He said that IMA declares withdrawal of all non-emergency services, including OPD for 12 hours from 6 am to 6 pm on Saturday. All elective procedures will be deferred and critical services, including deliveries, emergencies and in-patient care, to be provided, he said. He said that with no option left but to resist the move with determination they had taken this decision, he said. 

He said that earlier to let the world know they have organised massive Maha Panchayat, intense lobbying of the members of Parliament and have taken the fight to the people through visual and print media, said Dr Ravindra.

Dr RN Tandon, honorary general secretary IMA, said that in spite of their legitimate concerns on package rates, the IMA extended its support and partnership to Ayushman Bharat scheme in consideration of its national duty. The government has so far done nothing to address their genuine concerns. Indian Medical Association is fully conscious of its responsibility towards the generations of doctors to come, he added.

Dr A Marthanda Pillai, Chairman of the IMA Action Committee, said that undeterred by the intensity of the grievance of the medical profession of the country, the government is proceeding to decide how they will be governed. This is totally unacceptable and will stop under any cost, he added.