IMA plans central university

Updated on: Monday, December 13, 2010

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has plans to establish a central university and offer postgraduate courses, including on family medicine and emergency medicine, IMA national president G. Samaram said on Saturday.

He was speaking at the 65th Pearl Annual Medical Conference-2010 and installation ceremony organised by IMA Tamil Nadu State.

“We have prepared a draft for national health policy. IMA is facing several challenges. We are concentrating on healthcare of the people of the country and health education. We are also concerned about public health and rural healthcare,” he said.

Noting that the Centre was taking an “anti-IMA stand,” he said, “The Medical Council of India was dissolved and a six-member MCI has been appointed. They are taking steps against IMA and members of IMA. We need to challenge it boldly.”

“The government has framed the Clinical Establishments Bill. If this comes into effect, nobody can practice,” he said, adding that such rules and regulations on private practitioners would make it difficult to practice.

Mr. Samaram also opposed the proposed three-and-a-half year course of bachelor of rural healthcare.

Shortly after being installed as the president of IMA-Tamil Nadu State branch, T. Sadagopan said that the dialogue was on for awarding accreditation to continuing medical education programmes through the Tamil Nadu Medical Council as part of future plans.

Presenting Doctors' Day award for deserving doctors through Tamil Nadu Medical Council, popularising the Government Order to prevent attack on medical establishments among police and revenue officials and forming a separate committee to promote musical talent and good physique among doctors were also part of future plans.

Among others, outgoing State president IMA, Tamil Nadu, S.S. Sukumar, honorary State secretary T.N. Ravisankar and honorary finance secretary Amutha Karunanidhi spoke.

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