The A. P. Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association (APNA) has decided to observe a one-day token bandh on June 25 in protest against steps like setting up a national commission of human resources for health, scrapping the Medical Council of India.
APNA as well as the Indian Medical Association are opposing the proposed Bill on the ground that it would pave way for roping in nominated members including those without medical qualifications for administering medical education field. APNA demanded that the State government take steps to enact its own clinical establishment act, on the lines of other States, as the Central Act would interfere with smooth running of medical practice by family physicians.
Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, association general secretary K.J.N. Reddy and senior member Y. Ravinder Rao expressed concern that the Centre had not invited the associations working in the medical side for negotiations while taking such important decisions. They opposed the proposed short term course in rural areas as this was sub-standard and would churn out inefficient personnel in place of those equipped with clinical and technical skills.
“Why should the people in rural areas be treated like second grade citizens when their urban counterparts have corporate facilities?” Dr. Ravinder Rao questioned.
Keywords: MCI, healthcare reforms, A. P. Private Hospitals
