Ima

RG Kar case: IMA chief says doctors have always been soft targets

With the young medics' indefinite hunger strike in West Bengal entering the ninth day on Tuesday, Indian Medical Association chief Dr R V Asokan said doctors have always been "soft targets" and that "injustice inflicted on the medical fraternity has no parallel". Doctors in West Bengal began their hunger strike on October 5, following nearly 50 days of 'cease work' in two phases, over the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee at state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. In a statement, posted on X by the IMA, Dr Asokan said on Tuesday that from the word go a doctor in India is a "slave chained by the Bond system". In the post titled "Meek shall inherit the Earth", Dr Asokan said the rape and murder of the resident doctor at Kolkata's R G Kar Hospital and Medical College has brought out the "rot that has set in the country's medical colleges". "We are witness to how the sacrifice of the young resident suffocated and raped to a brutal death is haunting the empire

IMA President Asokan meets junior doctors on hunger strike in Kolkata

Following his visit, Dr. Asokan expressed concern for the health of the protesting doctors

Resume work, leave justice to SC: IMA chief Asokan to protesting doctors

Amid continued protests by medics following the R G Kar rape-murder incident, Indian Medical Association president Dr R V Asokan on Wednesday urged all doctors to resume work, leaving the job of delivering justice to the Supreme Court. In a statement, he said the rape and murder of the trainee postgraduate woman doctor at the West Bengal government-run R G Kar Medical College and Hospital has moved the nation's conscience. "The anger and frustration of the entire nation is over the fact that she happened to be a budding doctor as well as that she was the only girl child of lower-middle-class parents. The entire nation has adopted her as their daughter," the IMA chief said. Referring to the protests by doctors across the country, Dr Asokan said the medical fraternity was "justifiably on the boil". Resident doctors hit the road with anger and deep sorrow, he said adding the IMA had also called for withdrawal of medical services barring emergency care for 24 hours. Subsequently, the

FAIMA raises concerns over electoral integrity in IMA, alleges corruption

The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) voiced concerns over the recent electoral process within the Indian Medical Association (IMA), alleging irregularities and potential corruption that could jeopardise the integrity of the esteemed organisation. In a letter addressed to the chief election commissioner of the IMA on Sunday, FAIMA alleged that large sums of money were reportedly collected from members for nominations, yet several key positions within the IMA were filled without any election being conducted. This has sparked fears of undemocratic practices and raised questions about the transparency of the process, the letter said. The letter also highlights the need to reconsider the role of Dr Ketan Desai as the Chief Patron of the IMA, stressing that his continued association could further tarnish the reputation of the organization. FAIMA has called for an immediate investigation into these allegations and urged the chief election commissioner of IMA to take prom

IMA again asks for central law on violence against doctors, hospitals

The IMA has written to the National Task Force (NTF), which has been mandated to formulate protocol for ensuring safety and security of healthcare professionals, again demanding a central law on violence against doctors and hospitals and declaring hospitals as safe zones. Stating that the Supreme Court has constituted the NTF to evolve a national consensus and to formulate protocols with due consultation of all stakeholders, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in its letter formulated its submission in three sections. The NTF was constituted the apex court in the wake of protests by doctors and healthcare professionals following the recent rape and murder of a trainee woman doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. Firstly, putting forth its demand and justification for a central act on violence on doctors and hospitals, the IMA submitted its study 'Safety During Night Duty: Survey of 3885 Doctors Across India", its draft proposal for Central Act, dra

Kolkata horror: IMA seeks PM's intervention to curb violence on doctors

The IMA on Saturday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "benign intervention" to bring a central law to check violence against healthcare personnel and declare hospitals as safe zones with mandatory security entitlements. These are among the demands made by the apex doctors' body in the backdrop of the alleged rape and murder of a medic at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata and the subsequent vandalism at the facility. The Indian Medical Association (IMA), which is observing a 24-hour nationwide withdrawal of non-emergency services from 6 am on Saturday, wrote to the prime minister, putting forward its five demands. All essential services are being maintained and casualty wards manned, the IMA said in a statement. "The 36-hour shift that the victim was in and the lack of safe spaces to rest and adequate restrooms warrant thorough overhaul of the working and living conditions of resident doctors," it added. It has also demanded that hospitals be declared

Too little, too late: IMA on forming panel to mull on law to protect medics

The health ministry's decision to form a panel for deliberating on a central law to protect healthcare workers is "too little and too late" as it just needs political will to bring a legislation on the matter, IMA chief Dr R V Asokan said on Friday. As resident doctors across the country held protests over the alleged rape and killing of a trainee women doctor in a state-run medical college and hospital in Kolkata, demanding a central law to protect them, Asokan told PTI that the government is reluctant to acknowledge that there is violence against doctors and hospitals. "But you cannot run away from the reality," he said. There is a draft bill that was prepared in 2019 after stakeholders' consultation but it never went to Parliament, he pointed out. "There is a thinking in the government to refer it to an expert committee to look at the possibility of a bill, but that will be too little and too late. Because, everything is in place. It only needs political will to push the button,

'Declare hospitals as safe zones, give compensation to victim's family'

All hospitals across the country should be declared safe zones like airports so that doctors can work without fear, Indian Medical Association (IMA) chief Dr R V Asokan said on Friday. This is one of the five demands of the IMA, which has declared a 24-hour nationwide withdrawal of non-emergency medical services (from 6 am on Saturday to 6 am on Sunday) to protest against the alleged rape and killing of a trainee woman doctor and vandalism at a state-run medical college in Kolkata. "Airports are safe zones with a three-layer security, so at least in major hospitals, there has to be a security protocol and they should be declared as safe zones as that will entitle them for a mandatory security protocol," Asokan told PTI. Secondly, there should be a central law to check violence on healthcare workers, he said. Asokan said 25 states have laws against attacks on doctors and hospitals but there have been no convictions so far. These laws are mostly ineffective on the ground and do not .

AstraZeneca admits Covishield has rare side effect: Is concern warranted?

AstraZeneca's acknowledgment that the vaccine may lead to thrombosis isn't a new revelation, but it underscores the need for transparent communication by the pharma companies, say experts

Reduce NEET PG 2023 cut-off percentile by upto 30%: IMA writes to Mandaviya

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has written to Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya demanding reduction in the NEET PG 2023 cut-off percentile by up to 30 per cent so that most of the seats can be filled in both clinical and non-clinical branches. This will ensure that a significant number of aspiring doctors can enroll for postgraduate programmes in various medical colleges across the country and not a single postgraduate seat goes vacant, the IMA said in its letter. "We should not forget that during previous Covid waves, when the country was in the state of emergency and people were dying, the doctors left their homes and served the nation fervently. The time has come for the administration to recognize them for their selfless service by reducing the cutoff marks for NEET-PG 2023," it said. "As a result of high cutoff scores, aspiring medical students will not only be prevented from entering postgraduation but will also be compelled to travel overseas to pursue their dream field

Influenza A subtype causing cough, fever: ICMR; suggest Dos and Don'ts

A persistent cough, sometimes accompanied by fever, running through India for the past two-three months is due to Influenza A subtype H3N2, ICMR experts said. The H3N2, which has been in wide circulation for the past two-three months, causes more hospitalisations than other subtypes, said Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) scientists who keep a close watch on ailments caused by respiratory viruses through the Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories network. They have also suggested a list of Dos and Don'ts for people to follow to protect themselves from contracting the virus. The Indian Medical Association (IMA), on the other hand, has advised against indiscriminate use of antibiotics amid rising cases of cough, cold and nausea across the country. Seasonal fever will last five to seven days, it said. The fever goes away at the end of three days but the cough can persist for up to three weeks, the IMA's Standing Committee for Anti-Microbial Resistance said. Viral cases h

Doctors urge govt to allow fourth booster dose for medical fraternity

They say protective effect of vaccine lasts nine months to a year. For health workers that period is already over and this is the right time to boost their immunity

Avoid public gatherings, international travel amid fresh Covid scare: IMA

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has advised people to avoid public gatherings such as wedding ceremonies, political or social meetings as well as international travel amid a rising number of COVID-19 cases in some countries, including China. In an advisory issued on Thursday, the IMA also appealed to people to go for vaccination against the viral disease, including taking the precaution dose, and follow Covid-appropriate behaviour such as using masks at public places and following social-distancing norms. According to reports, around 5.37 lakh fresh cases of the infection were reported in a 24-hour period recently from countries such as the United States, Japan, South Korea, France and Brazil, the IMA said. "With the robust infrastructure in the public as well as the private sector, dedicated medical manpower, proactive leadership support from the government and availability of sufficient medicines and vaccines, India will be able to manage any eventualities as done in the past

IMA to start petition movement against ayurveda doctors performing surgery

The doctors' body also said that this notification will lead to "mixopathy" and demanded its immediate withdrawal

IMA refutes Centre's data, says 734 doctors lost lives due to Covid-19

IMA appealed that a high-power committee be constituted by the government to do a thorough study of the entire data of deceased doctors

Need to guard against carelessness in fight against Covid: Ex IMA secretary

There is need to guard against carelessness in the fight against Covid-19 and people should be careful because pollution has also started rising, Dr Ravi Malik, a former secretary of IMA said

IMA submits SOPs to Goa government for home quarantined Covid patients

IMA Goa chief Dr S Samuel said they have urged the state government to take the services of private doctors, who are members of the IMA, to keep a tab on the health of such patients

With face masks on, passing out parade held at IMA; Army chief reviews

Army chief General MM Naravane reviewed the Passing Out Parade of 423 officers including 90 Gentleman Cadets from nine friendly foreign countries

Pvt hospitals may suspend CGHS, ECHS services over non-payment of dues: IMA

Rates and agreements between CGHS and hospitals were supposed to be revised every two years. However, the CGHS have been postponing it unilaterally without furnishing any reason, he said

610 gentlemen cadets pass out of IMA

Coveted Sword of Honour went to Academy Cadet Adjutant Rajendra Singh Bisht