IMA to protest against Clinical Establishment Bill

The government has passed the Clinical Establishment Bill in Lok Sabha,but the Indian Medical Association is trying all ways to prevent the Rajya Sabha from passing it.

Ludhiana IMA president Dr Nariottam Dewan said to protest against the Bill,all doctors will wear black badges on June 26,clinics and nursing homes will hoist permanent black flags on their entrance and black banners,mentioning the “anti-patient and anti-doctor policies of the government”. He said a seminar will also be held on the issue on June 29. Dewan said,“We have also planned a candle-lit protest march on July 1,from Ghumar Mandi Chowk to Aarti Chowk and a two-hour strike by all clinics,nursing homes and hospitals on July 2,from 10 am to 12 pm. A memorandum by IMA will be handed over to deputy commissioner,MLA and MT. Decision regarding a group hunger strike will be taken later.”

The Bill will make it compulsory for all clinics,nursing homes and hospitals to give five-star facilities to all patients and to treat emergency cases without payment. The Bill does not recognise small and middle level clinics and nursing homes and thus they will face the threat of closing down. Any deficiency will lead to Rs 5 lakh fine or cancellation of registration by the chief medical officer,without a provision for appeal in the court. The CMO will also have the power to inspect the facilities at any time.