The Junior doctors at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) today went on day-long strike protesting against the National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill, 2019, which is facing major resistance from medical fraternity even after getting passed in Lok Sabha. However, the doctors called off their strike after assurance from RIMS director Dr D.K Singh.
Due to doctors strike the outdoor patients in RIMS suffered as OPD services stayed suspended due to strike. The striking doctors claim that with the introduction of National Medical Commission (NMC) bill, it will legitimize quacks in the country.
RIMS Junior Doctors Association (JDA) president Dr Ajit Kumar said, “Through the National Medical Commission Bill, the Central government is taking a step that will transfer medical science in the hands of those who have not studied medical science. The new system will promote quacks. The will affect the poor the most.”
The National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill, 2019 portrayed as the biggest reforms in medical education in India is facing major resistance from medical fraternity even after getting passed in the Lok Sabha. The bill will repeal the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 and replace the Medical Council of India (MCI). The MCI will have responsibilities such as approving and assessing medical colleges, conducting common MBBS entrance examination and regulating medical course fees.However, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has raised concern over some section of the NMC Bill that provides for licensing of 3.5 lakh non-medical persons or community health providers to practice modern medicine.
As the doctors at RIMS went on strike still afternoon, poor patients seeking OPD services at Government hospital faced the brunt of the strike. Though emergency services and other departments were out of ambit of strike, many patients reaching OPD services had to return back home due to closure of OPD.
The biggest problem was faced by patients coming from other districts of State. Rakesh Lal, a resident of Latehar had come to OPD for treatment of his wife, but as the OPD services were closed he had to return back.Lal said, “My wife suffers from breathing problem. The doctors at Latehar had referred her at RIMS, but we have wiat for one more day as OPD service was closed.” Like Rakesh there were many others who had no other alternative but to return back due to closure of OPD services.
However, the OPD services resumed after 1 PM. Long queues of patients were seen outside OPD