The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi stating the need for a central cadre to resolve the problems faced by doctors across the country. The IMA has made a demand for the formation of the Indian Medical Services, along the lines of the IAS and IPS, which has been a pending concern since Independence. Keeping the Covid-19 crisis in mind, the IMA has asked that this process be expedited by the government.
According to the IMA, “One Nation One Guideline” has always been required for ensuring health and safety in India, and could relieve helpless doctors during the current pandemic. Addressing this concern, IMA National President Dr Rajan Sharma formed a national working group with Dr Ved Prakash Mishra as Chairman and Dr R V Asokan as Convener. The committee presented an official report by Dr Rajan Sharma to Health Secretary Preeti Sudan and Health OSD Rajesh Bhushan yesterday.
In its letter to the Prime Minister, the IMA has stated that, “Indian Medical Services is an intervention that the Government could bring in as a game-changer in this difficult situation. It is a matter of record that such an All India Service existed in British India. The need for such an All India strategic force is all the more relevant and imminent today. Whatever the constitutional considerations were there in 1948 to disband the services, the health emergency of 2020 has overcome. An All India Medical Service is a lifeline for the safety and health of our people.”