BS RAWAT
NEW DELHI: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has appealed to the Uttarakhand Government to bring changes in the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010, recently enacted by the Central Government, arguing that it will promote ‘Inspector Raj’, increase the cost of tests and put additional financial burden on the patients.

The Act is intended to check charging of exorbitant amounts from patients and curb unethical practices by private medical clinics.

IMA National President Dr Santanu Sen has said in a press statement: “IMA Headquarters and other IMA state branches support IMA Uttaranchal State Branch and the doctors and hospitals who have been forced to self close their hospitals.”

“We appeal to the Chief Minister and the Government of Uttaranchal to consider the just demands of the doctor community and the issue should be resolved amicably without any further delay,” Dr Sen stated.

Private medical practitioners in Uttarakhand are on indefinite strike for the last eight days and are only attending emergency cases.

The doctors want the Act to be drafted on the lines of Haryana, instead of the one implemented in the Himalayan state.

Among the main demands is the one asking the Government to exempt single doctor and doctor couple practices and small hospitals and nursing homes up to 50 beds from the  purview of the Clinical Establishments Act.