Clinical Establishment Act draws flak

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, June 14

Members of the IMA, Jalandhar, in a show of strength on Sunday met MLAs and MPs (present and former) of all political parties at their respective offices and residences to sensitise to the “draconian” Clinical Establishment Act. The IMA members along with office-bearers of the IMA Jalandhar 2020 were on roads since 8 am today to keep their appointments with elected representatives. They met at least 18 key MLAs, political leaders and officials to mark the first day of their agitation against the Clinical Establishment Act. Members met MP Santokh Singh Chaudhary, present and former MLAs Rajinder Beri, Pargat Singh, Bawa Henry, Sarabjit Makkar, Pawan Tinu, KD Bhandari, Sushil Rinku, Manoranjan Kalia, Laddi Sherowalia, Gurpratap Singh Wadala, Dr Daljeet Singh Cheema, Dr AS Thind, Surinder Chaudhary, Mohinder Singh Kaypee, Balwinder Kumar, JBrar and Bobby Sehgal.

Various MLAs and MPs (present and former) were presented with memoranda against the CEA ordinance, which the govt is planning to impose on the doctors from July1, 2020. Along with the memorandum, a copy of the ordinance was also presented to all the MLAs and MPs.

Speaking on the occasion, IMA members said, “In these trying times of Covid-19 pandemic, the state government, instead of giving a helping hand, has made the task of fighting against this disease,

for the doctors, even more difficult by introducing the Act through an ordinance. This ordinance is not doctor friendly; nor is it going to be beneficial for the general public. The IMA Jalandhar stands by the entire doctor fraternity and the IMA Punjab in opposing this ordinance.”

Lawmakers claimed: “The state government has introduced this Act in Punjab through an ordinance which will come into effect July1, 2020. The act has been brought out to register and regularise all doctors and hospitals in the state”. The Indian Medical Association, while opposing the ordinance, said: “The government does notwant to improve the public health system run and owned by them but wants to control private doctors and hospitals. We all know the poor state of the various civil hospitals and government health systems.

The government intends to sell its stake in old and prestigious government hospitals like Rajindra Medical College and Hospital, Patiala. It is trying to escape from its duty of providing affordable healthcare to the lower strata of the public, but wants to regulate private doctors and hospitals by moving back to Inspector Raj. The Act dictates multiple upgrades in the already successfully running hospitals and clinics. These upgrades will mean more investment and expenditure by individual doctors and hospitals. The cost of all these upgrades will be passed on to the general public”.

President, IMA Jalandhar, Dr Pankaj Paul; finance secretary Dr Munsih Singhal and honorary secretary Dr Ashmeet Singh were among other members of the IMA present on the occasion.

IMA flays clinical Act

Phagwara: A deputation of doctors from the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Phagwara chapter, led by Dr Mamta Gautam, on Sunday met Joginder Singh Mann, Chairman of Punjab Agro Industries Corporation, at his residence here. The IMA doctors opposed the Clinical Establishment Act being implemented from July 1.

They also submitted a memorandum in this regard. Dr Gautam said memorandums were also being submitted to Phagwara MLA Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal and Union minister Som Parkash.