215th Central Working Committee meeting of the Indian Medical Association commences at Hotel Clarks Shiraz in Agra

215th Central Working Committee meeting of the Indian Medical Association commences at Hotel Clarks Shiraz in Agra · Organized by the IMA UP Branch, the meeting sees attendance of over 350 IMA leaders from across State branches New Delhi, April 02, 2016: The annual Central Working Committee meeting of the Indian Medical Association, the oldest and largest representative organization of doctors of modern scientific medicine commenced today in the historical city of Agra. The two-day meeting being organized by IMA’s UP branch has seen attendance of over 350 State heads of the National body. Prominent IMA leaders present at the meeting include Dr. A Marthanda Pillai – Immediate Past President IMA, Dr Vinay Aggarwal – Chairman Organizing Committee and Past President IMA, Dr SS Agarwal – National President IMA, Dr KK Aggarwal – Honorary Secretary General IMA & Dr Sharad Aggarwal – Chairman Reception Committee. The Chief Guest and conference mentor is none other than Dr. Ketan Desai – President Elect World Medical Association. The main agenda of the Central Working Committee is to evaluate and discuss issues of National importance affecting the functioning and efficacy of the medical community in the country. The primary issue being the increasing violence against doctors as well as redundant laws which the medical fraternity is being subjected to including coming under the ambit of the consumer protection act, issue of unjustified compensation in cases of medical negligence as well as the unjust nature PCPNDT Act. Speaking about the same, Dr SS Agarwal – National President IMA and Padma Shri Awardee Dr KK Aggarwal – Honorary Secretary General IMA in a joint statement said, “Today the medical profession faces more challenges than ever before and we must stand together as a strong voice against them. By standing as a unified force during the difficult times I am confident that we will succeed in our aim of restoring the nobility, honesty and integrity of the medical profession in India. The IMA stands for accountability and regulation of practice. But we are against inspector Raj, multiple registrations for a doctor and multiple windows for the registration of a medical establishment. We believe that instead of regulatory bodies making laws, it is the duty of the medical association to make way for self-regulation”. Inaugurating the event, Dr Ketan Desai, President-Elect World Medical Association said, “I congratulate IMA on this meeting. Some very relevant issues being faced by the medical fraternity have been raised and it is high time that we spoke up against them in a unified tone. The increasing violence against doctors is a matter of grave concern and we must restore the nobility of the profession. Failure of treatment does not mean negligence for no matter what you do, 5% of the seriously ill patients will die. If every death were to end up in violence with no protection from the Indian judicial system or the law enforcement agencies, it will only deter doctors from practicing and fulfilling their basic duties.” Sharing their views, Dr Sharad Aggarwal – Chairman Reception Committee, Dr Vinay Aggarwal Past President IMA & Sanjay Jain Organizing Secretary of the Meeting said, “We are pleased with day 1 of the meeting. Several key issues such as the unjust nature of the PCPNDT act, need to put a cap on compensation and IMA’s novel program of protecting the girl child were discussed. Key issues being faced by the local IMA UP branch were also highlighted including the need for land for blood banks. We are hopeful that together we will be able to fight for the rights of the medical fraternity in India.” IMA leaders recently met the Attorney General of India and also participated in the Inter-Ministerial Committee as a step in the direction of finding a solution to some of their existing problems. A few other demands put together by the IMA for the Indian government include implementation of a doctors protection act, compensation for handling medical emergencies, taking out single doctor clinics from the CEA, conferment of State awards to private practitioners as well, tax rebates for doctors along with medical benefits.