IMA opposes Clinical Establishments Act

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, November 11

Terming it a threat to private healthcare and the small and medium scale medical sector, the state and local units and of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) have opposed the Clinical Establishments Act. They are of the view that the act must not be implemented without consulting all stakeholders.

In a press release, both units of the IMA said, “The Clinical Establishments Act is a betrayal by the government with the medical fraternity. The biggest stakeholder had been totally ignored while preparing it. For the past more than two years, IMA Punjab had been closely associated with the preparation of a regulatory act by the Punjab Medical Council under the supervision of the Health Ministry and it has almost been finalised. We were assured on many times by the state government and the medical council that no bill in this regard would be brought without taking IMA Punjab into confidence. Now, suddenly the NHM mission director has put up this draft in the public domain for comments and objections. The IMA Punjab has been completely kept in the dark about it.”

The press release further added that the IMA Punjab only came to know about it just two days ago through the media. The IMA Punjab said only seven days had been given for filing objections and it was a short period. It said the unit got just two-three days to discuss it.