New Delhi|HL
The peaceful Satyagraha against the many issues confronting the medical fraternity in the country, doctors, MBBS students, and others associated with the profession participated in huge numbers in the Dilli Chalo movement held today in Delhi.
The movement was a fitting conclusion to the intensive month-long campaign by IMA aimed at raising awareness on and bringing to light the issues faced by the medical profession. IMA is a unified voice and the collective consciousness of the medical profession in the country.
The Protest March started at 8:00 AM from Rajghat and reached the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium by 11:00 AM. Earlier, the office bearers paid homage to the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi at 6.30 AM.
Over 70,000 doctors from all over India participated in the event including representatives of National Medical Associations such as Federation of Obstetrics & Gynecological Societies of India (FOGSI), Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP), Association of Physicians of India (API) and the Cardiological Society of India (CSI) amongst others. Those not present in person joined the movement digitally over a live webcast.
Speaking at the deliberations, Dr K K Aggarwal, National President Indian Medical Association (IMA) and Dr RN Tandon – Honorary Secretary General IMA in a joint statement, said, “This is one of the toughest times for the medical fraternity. This Satyagraha comes after the realization that enough is enough, and that repeated pleas and appeals by the medical fraternity have materialized into nothing but reassurances. The agitation among doctors has been evident for a long time now. New draconian acts imposing penal provisions on clerical errors and violations of clauses not linked to medical treatment under the PC PNDT Act and West Bengal Clinical Establishment Act are not in the interest of the profession and therefore, the society at large. The need of the hour is collective action and decision which would do justice to this profession.”
The last few months have seen several other initiatives by the IMA on this front such as STOP NMC Sathyagraha, two National Protest Days against violence on doctors, NO to NEXT strike in medical colleges, and the National Black Day against West Bengal Clinical Establishments Act. Other than this, 3 action committee meetings and 2 meetings of Federation of Medical Associations of India were also conducted.
Addressing the huge gathering of medical professionals, Dr Vinay Aggarwal (Past President IMA) and Dr R V Asokan, Chairman, Action Committee, added, “This protest is an indication that medical professionals will no longer take any form of injustice. People are indulging in violence against doctors, which is further being condoned by governments and other institutions. Prescription rights of doctors are being trampled upon, which can have disastrous consequences for patients. There is absolutely no end to the injustice being heaped upon the medical fraternity and this noble profession. This movement should be enough to urge the government to take urgent action failing which the agitation is only bound to increase.”
The Dilli Chalo movement aimed to address the demands such as Criminal prosecution of medical negligence and clerical errors to be an exception, Stringent central act against violence on doctors
by the medical fraternity.
The protest also get support from Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) Dr.Pankaj Solanki, President FORDA told heathlive ‘we are in support cause and appeal of our colleagues. Let’s not work under fear and stress he added.
