Doctors hit city streets against NMC Bill, health services unaffected

Kolkata: Doctors' protest against the National Medical Commission Bill on Tuesday hardly had any impact on health services in the medical colleges and hospitals in both the city and districts.

There was, however, less number of doctors at the outdoor departments of the hospitals in the morning as they joined the movement and also took part in the protest rally. Various doctors' organisations, including the state chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), observed 'National Medical Black Day' on Tuesday, to protest against the National Medical Commission Bill.

Union Health Ministry had proposed the NMC Bill in 2017, thereby replacing the Medical Council of India (MCI) with National Medical Commission (NMC).

Nearly 3 lakh doctors took part in the nation-wide protest, which was initially called for 12 hours from 6 am to protest against the Bill. The movement was later withdrawn in the state, after the Bill was sent to the Parliamentary Committee for its consideration.

After coming to know that there was a long queue of patients at some of the hospitals in the city, the state Health department has instructed the hospital authorities to ensure that health services are provided to all patients visiting various hospitals.

The movement was withdrawn late on the day after the National Medical Commission Bill, 2017, seeking to replace the Medical Council of India (MCI) with a new body, was referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee.

IMA called the Bill 'draconian' and also anti-people. Doctors belonging to IMA alleged that the Medical Commission Bill will make medical education system of the Country more expensive, politicised and less qualitative.

Hundreds of medical students and junior doctors hit the city's streets to protest against Centre's move to introduce the National Exit Test (NEXT) for MBBS graduates and also the abolition of MCI.