Acute doctor shortage in state is hot topic at ‘coffee with Awhad’

The Indian Medical Association (IMA), which has been opposing the move, is waiting for the state’s written notification before approaching court.

“We are willing to go to rural ar”as,” a doctor from among those present at BJMC told the minister who shot back that no one was ready to go to places like Chandrapur, Nandurbar and Dhule. “According to our survey there are just 14 doctors in one of the tehsils of Chandrapur,” Avhad said.

“More than 6,000 ayurveda practitioners have been agitating and had attempted fast-unto-death to ensure they can prescribe allopathic drugs. Today majority of hospitals are flooded with doctors from homeopathy and ayurveda. Why not ensure they get trained in a year’s course in pharmacology and provide basic allopathic medication,” he asked.

Dr Dilip Sarda, president of the state unit of IMA said the day the bill was passed in the legislature was a black Friday (June 13). “We will wait for the government notification on the issue and file a writ in High Court opposing”it,” Sarda said.

Dr Mandar Ranade, national spokesperson for National Integrated Medical Association and others welcomed the passing of the bill. A section of homoepathic doctors on condition of anonymity said that it would, however, kill their science of treatment. Delhi-based Central Council of Homeopathy said it will not allow homoeopaths to study allopathy as it was a different branch of medicine. The Maharashtra Council of Homeopathy felt the decision was forced by requirements of the medical system in the state.