IMA highlights key public health priorities; calls for stronger policies

The IMA Academy of Medical Specialities (IMA AMS), the academic wing of the Indian Medical Association, underscored its major national initiatives and policy concerns ahead of the annual AMSCON conference hosted this year by IMA Chandigarh.

The IMA leadership also highlighted its major nation-wide public health drives, including polio eradication, TB elimination, COVID-19 response, and citizen CPR training. Its flagship 'Aao Gaon Chalen' project continues to adopt villages and slums to provide sustained health education and primary facilities.

In a press release, Dr Dilip Bhanushali, National President, IMA, said, “IMA has always been at the forefront of public health. We request the government to allocate at least 5 per cent of GDP to health, which is essential for strengthening infrastructure and reducing out-of-pocket expenditure.”

IMA also expressed serious concerns over Mixopathy, the unscientific mixing of different systems of medicine.

Dr RV Asokan, Immediate Past National President, IMA, stated, “While we respect every system of medicine, we strongly oppose unscientific integration. The proposed integrated MBBS-BAMS course at JIPMER is an ill-conceived move. Each system must preserve its purity for the safety of patients.”

The IMA leadership reiterated its long-standing demand for a strong Central Act to prevent violence against healthcare professionals. It also urged reforms in regulatory frameworks.

Dr Ramneek Bedi, National Chairman, IMA AMS, said, “Our goal is to strengthen continuous medical education and equip postgraduate doctors with advanced skills.”