Health Institutions To Remain Shut Today?:- As a part of one-day protest call given by Indian Medical Association (IMA), the clinics, nursing homes, small and medium sized hospitals, charitable medical institutions in Hyderabad and else where in the State will remain closed between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. today.
Almost close to 100 doctors from the State are participating in a rally from Rajghat to Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi, as part of “Dilli Chalo” protest given by IMA, New Delhi.
The barring emergency services, and all the outpatient services in various hospitals will be closed today, said the IMA, Telangana chapter.
IMA, Telangana, President Dr T Narasinga Reddy said, “The protest is mainly for the increasing cases of professional negligence being filed on doctors by the police. This is the major issue for holding such a rally in New Delhi and shutting down health institutions in Telangana. We are not against accountability but we cannot accept patients taking law in their hands.”
From the past two years, we have been highlighting the issue of increase in instances of patients attempting to criminally prosecute doctors for no good solid reason and proof, said the IMA officials. On several occasions, the issue of the frequent attacks on medical professionals was taken up at State level and with the Centre, pointed out the senior doctors.
The Centre had formed an Inter-Ministerial Committee following complaints from the medical fraternity, said the IMA officials. The committee consists of Health and Family Welfare, Law and Justice, Consumer Affairs and Home Affairs.
The IMA state president said, “The committee is yet to arrive at a conclusion in the issues that have been raised by IMA. We are against criminal prosecution on the grounds of medical negligence and the Centre has to accept our demands.”
A universal Central Act against violence against medical professionals was also demanded from the IMA senior doctors. This will go a long way in protecting the health care workers in Government and private hospitals.
SUPRAJA
