Doctors, protesting against the National Commission for Human Resources for Health Bill 2011 being introduced by the Central government, staged a dharna at the Freedom Park here on Monday.
The doctors, protesting under the banner of Indian Medical Association (IMA), Karnataka branch, said that the bill seeks to set up the National Commission for Human Resources for Health (NCHRH) by dissolving the Medical Council of India (MCI). The commission will be headed by 13 nominated members. “Unlike in the MCI, which had elected members from each state, NCHRH will have only nominated members,” said Dr H.L. Krishnegowda, president, IMA, Karnataka branch.
President of the IMA, Kolar district branch, Dr Mahesh M.S., said: “The other troubling issue with the bill is that it will pave way for introducing the Bachelor of Rural Health Care (BRHC) course. This will be a course parallel to MBBS and can be completed in two to three years. In the West, norms specify that a doctor needs at least eight years of medical course before he starts practicing. BRHC is aimed at providing healthcare facilities to the villagers, But with this course, medical care in these places will deteriorate further."
The Clinical Establishment Act 2010 too has been bothering the medical professionals. “The law makes it obligatory for clinical establishments to provide treatment and stabilise anyone who comes in an emergency medical condition, even if he/she comes without an attendant,” he said.
Patients made to wait for long hours:
Though services at hospitals were normal on Monday, a few patients went through a harrowing time as they could not find any doctors and had to wait for long hours at Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospitals.
Muktamma, a resident of Vijayanagar, said: “I had to get medical records of my daughter and the doctor had asked me to come today. But when I came here they told me that the doctor concerned had gone to the Freedom Park. I wasted my time. I cannot come again and again.”