VIJAYAWADA: Thousands of patients were left in the lurch on Saturday, due to the ‘medical bandh’ at the out patients departments (OPDs) in most of the private hospitals across the State. The OPDs remained shut for 12 hours on Saturday, as doctors were off duty in response to a call given by the Action Committee of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), to observe a ‘black day’, in protest against the National Medical Commission (NMC) bill, which allows Ayush doctors to practise modern medicine, albeit after completing a bridge course.
“This is completely a ridiculous decision, which will make people’s lives fall in danger for this ‘cross-pathy’ treatments. With just a simple bridge course, we don’t think they can pull it off in modern medicine and treat people,” said Dr Rasik Sanghvi, secretary of IMA Vijayawada.
The IMA, has been strongly opposing the NMC bill saying it will cripple the functioning of medical professionals by making them subject to the control of non-medical and political bodies. Private hospitals doctors called for the ‘bandh’ and ensured a near-total stoppage in OPD services. Sources said that soon the doctors were likely to begin an indefinite strike and create ‘a medical emergency’ across the country. However, some of the doctors were not as rigid as Dr Sanghvi.
“Even the MBBS doctors are not allowed to work as specialists or super specialists and have a limit to what they can do. Therefore, after doing this bridge course these Ayush doctors can also practise modern medicine, but their role should be limited (may be to that of a GP),” said Dr Samaram, a former IMA president.
Medical problem city faced on Saturday
OPDs of the major hospitals in the city, such as the Andhra Hospitals, remained closed on Saturday, as the doctors took part in a bandh
It was called by the Action Committee of the Indian Medical Association (IMA). They observed a ‘black day’ on Saturday, in protest against the National Medical Commission (NMC) bill
Patients, both new and those who came for periodic check ups, were turned away by the hospitals, without any treatment or checkup being conducted