NMC Bill: Medical bodies not to support IMA's nationwide strike

New Delhi: It seems the nationwide strike called by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) against the introduction of National Medical Commission (NMC) would turn out to be a flop as several states' medical associations have distanced themselves from the protest.

Notably, the IMA has called for a nationwide strike of outpatient departments of hospitals on July 28, which has not been supported by Delhi Medical Association (DMA).

The DMA has pulled out his support till its general body meeting scheduled at 2 pm on Saturday.

However, the DMA has decided not to support the strike in the larger interest of the patient. "We will not support the IMA's call for strike on Saturday. Moreover, an emergency general body meeting has been called to decide the future course of action," said Dr Harish Gupta, former president of DMA and member of Delhi Medical Council.

"The IMA fully conscious of its responsibility towards the generations of doctors to come, and is withdrawing non-emergency medical services across the country on Saturday, July 28, 2018, from 6 am to 6 pm," read a press release issued by IMA.

An IMA office-bearer said that introduction of the NMC, when the Medical Council of India (MCI) was in place

was redundant and did

not take into consideration the best interests of the general public.

"The NMC is not people or profession friendly, it favours a private college system and more exams will certainly be brought into place," the IMA functionary added.

The NMC would replace the 83-year-old Medical Council of India (MCI) and would allegedly interfere with the medical education system.

The Millennium Post has learnt that medical associations of other states have also decided not to support IMA's strike.