IMA organises nationwide relay hunger strike till February 14, 2021
The central council of Indian Medicine has recently notified 39 general surgical and 19 ENT, Eye, Head and Dental care-related procedures which the postgraduate scholars of Shalya and Shalakya can be trained into practice. According to a certain section of doctors, the decision by the government will result in mixing of modern medicine with the traditional systems of AYUSH which will adversely affect the health of our people. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) termed it ‘mixopathy’.
The IMA is opposing the rule and has arranged for a nationwide relay hunger strike at all IMA state headquarters till February 1-14, 2021. Doctors from the All Indian Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi and other government hospitals wore black bands to register their protest on Friday.
RV Asokan, Secretary-General, IMA, said, “The IMA appeals to the Central Government to desist from proceeding with mixopathy as the option for universal health coverage. Withdrawal of the notification and dissolution of NITI Aayog committees of integration will be the steps in the right direction. IMA’s concerns are the concerns of the patients. IMA has no option but to intensify the agitation if the Government persists with mixopathy.’’
A statement issued by the IMA said, “We demand the withdrawal of the notification and the NITI Aayog committee for integration [of all medicine systems]. We urge the government to take into account the grievances of doctors against this mixopathy. The IMA will continue its agitation till our demands are met.”
According to an IMA release, hunger strikes and Raj Bhavan marches have also been planned. Doctors from government sectors participated in several places. The entire cross-section of the medical profession are participating in full strength.
