Jamshedpur, July 28: Health services were hit in the rural areas on the 12-hour long statewide agitation at state-owned medical centers under the banner of Indian Medical Association (IMA) to protest against the National Medical Commission Bill 2017, which according to them is an attempt to hand over the medical system to non-medical people.
During the strike, all non-emergency services including OPD remained closed for the 12 hours. However, critical services including deliveries, emergencies and in-patient care were provided.
Services were hampered at OPDS at the state-run 18 primary health centres, nine community health centres, sub divisional hospital at Ghatshila and Sadar Hospital in Khasamahal as the doctors did not attend the OPD. However, OPDs at corporate and private hospitals and MGM Medical College and Hospital (at Sakchi) functioned normal.
IMA city unit secretary Mrityunjay Kumar said over 6,000 doctors across the state, including about 500 from the steel city, observed a 12-hour strike from 6am to 6pm on Saturday.
The Medical Council of India was formed in 1956 to regulate the modern medical practice and the quality of medical education in the country. This council consists of both allopathic doctors and other medical representatives.
The Centre is now trying to form a commission, comprising members outside the medical profession without proper medical background. Following major protests by the IMA, the Bill has been referred to a parliamentary standing committee.