12-hour strike by private doctors in Telangana on July 28

​Hyderabad: Non-emergency services including out-patient department (OPD) at various hospitals and clinics are likely to be affected on Saturday (July 28) across Telangana, including Hyderabad, with doctors fraternity deciding to hold a 12-hour shutdown from 6 am till 6 pm against Centre's moves to replace MCI (Medical Commission of India) with NMC (National Medical Commission).

The Telangana unit of Indian Medical Association (IMA) is conducting this protest as per a call given by the national body to shut down medical services in all States.

IMA Telangana president Dr T Narsinga Reddy said that doctors in all states are strongly opposing Central government decision. He said that they would be upping the ante till there is change of mind at the Centre.

The amended NMC Bill is likely to be introduced in Lok Sabha on Friday (July 27). IMA leaders from all states have been staying in New Delhi for the last few days to mobilise support from opposition parties and other quarters, amid indications that the NDA government is firm on the passage of the contentious NMC Bill in the ongoing monsoon session of parliament.

In a message sent to all the state IMA units, Dr Ravi Wankhedkar, Dr R N Tandon, Dr A Marthanda Pillai who form the IMA action committee called upon them to convene a general body meeting of local branches on Saturday morning and pass a resolution against the NMC Bill. 

“Members should put up banners and hoardings at main places in the town and also go in a procession to their respective Member of Parliament /District Collector’s/ Sub-Collector’s office, and submit a memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister. Branches with medical colleges have an additional responsibility to coordinate with action in the medical colleges involving the medical students,” the national body said.