IMA protest against NMC bill may hit services in pvt hospitals

Healthcare services at many private hospitals in the country are likely to be hit tomorrow as the Indian Medical Association has called for suspending routine services for 12 hours to protest a Bill seeking to replace the Medical Council of India (MCI) with a new body.

Services at outpatient departments (OPDs) of many private hospitals may be hit by the protest, but emergency and critical services will remain open.

Union Health Minister J P Nadda had a meeting with the members of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) where the latter conveyed their



concerns over the Bill.

A senior health ministry official, however, said the Bill is slated to come up for discussion in Parliament tomorrow and the House will decide over it.

"We heard them out, but nothing can be done now as the Bill has been tabled in Parliament. A discussion over it will be held tomorrow and the House will decide," he said.

"The Bill is aimed at bringing reforms in the medical education sector which is under scrutiny for unethical practices and also will weed out corruption," the official said.