World Medical Association supports IMA against NMC Bill

The World Medical Association today came out in support of Indian Medical Association (IMA) over its decision to protest against the Centre's proposed National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill, which seeks to replace the existing Medical Council of India (MCI).

Doctors affiliated to the Indian Medical Association had earlier said that they will hold a nationwide protest tomorrow against the government's proposal to dissolve the MCI and replace it with National Medical Commission, with the IMA dubbing the move as "undemocratic".

"The autonomy of the medical profession is under threat throughout the world and what is happening in India is likely to happen elsewhere. Physicians everywhere have to speak out against marginalisation of the medical profession and in support of professional autonomy which is essential for the good of high quality patient care.
 

"The new Commission proposed by the Indian government effectively means that non-doctors handpicked by the government will be regulating the medical profession without any autonomy. That is unacceptable," Ardis Hoven, Chair of the World Medical Association (WMA), said in a statement.

IMA has strongly opposed the proposed National Medical Commission Bill 2016, citing concern that the NMC will have non-elected members nominated by the government.

The existing Medical Council of India has 130 members, having a representative character with two-thirds elected and one-third nominated professional members representing the entire spectrum of professional stake holders.

"The proposed National Medical Commission, on the other hand, will have 19 handpicked members nominated by the government. It will be a 100 per cent nominated Commission with no representative character, mostly comprising non-doctors without any autonomy. This is undemocratic," K K Aggarwal, National President (Elect), IMA, said.

MCI has faced criticism from several quarters for alleged corruption in the top medical body.

The Supreme Court had earlier this year appointed a three-member Oversight Committee headed by ex-CJI R M Lodha to oversee functioning of the MCI, which regulates medical practice in the country, for at least a year.