Threatening to go on an indefinite strike if government passes the proposed National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill in its present form, several doctors across India on Monday called a two-hour dharna against the Bill that seeks to replace regulatory body Medical Council of India (MCI).

Resident doctors of AIIMS Delhi had also organised Halla Bol Dharna Pradarashan. “Government betrayed the young doctors of this country. They trapped us into the amendments of proposed NMC Bill but these amendments are not at all acceptable,” said Dr Harjit Singh Bhatti, president of RDA AIIMS.

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Dr Bhatti claimed that about 25,000 doxctors supported the strike. “IMA President Dr Ravi Wankhedkar also attended the dharna,” he said.

The Bill also seeks to put in place a common entrance exam and licentiate exam, which all medical graduates will have to clear to get practising licences.

The government, under the National Medical Commission (NMC), can dictate guidelines for fees up to 40 per cent of seats in private medical colleges. This is aimed at giving students relief from the exorbitant fees charged by these colleges and is a standout feature of the bill.

Dr Bhatti said medical fraternity want six changes in the current NMC Bill.
“Firstly, 85 per cent of private medical colleges fees should be equivalent to government colleges; removal of six months bridge course which allows Ayush doctors to prescribe modern medicine; increase representation of elected members in commission among others,” said Dr Bhatti.