Health Minister Harsh Vardhan urges doctors to join work, says 'National Medical Commission Bill in their interest'
Story highlights
"I met doctors and cleared their misunderstandings over some provisions of the bill," said Dr Harsh Vardhan
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Friday urged the striking doctors to end their protest, saying the National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill was in the "interest" of the nation, doctors and patients.
"I met doctors and cleared their misunderstandings over some provisions of the bill. Have explained to them that this bill is in nation's interest & in the interest of doctors and patients. Appealed to them to end their protest," he said.
Various associations are protesting against the NMC Bill, which will replace the Medical Council of India (MCI) by a National Medical Commission, alleging that the Bill has certain provisions that are "anti-poor, anti-student and undemocratic".
Doctors have been protesting against Sections 32 and 15 of the Bill pertaining to licence to health providers and the entrance exam for post-graduate course/NEXT. They have also been raising concerns over section 45 of the Bill. They say that the Bill empowers Central government to override any suggestion of the NMC.
Meanwhile, doctors have not withdrawn their protest as yet. Doctors under the banner - The Federation of Resident Doctors' Association (FORDA), The All India Institute of Medical Sciences Patna and Delhi and United Resident Doctors' Association (URDA) - are continuing with their strike.
On July 29, the Lok Sabha had passed the National Medical Commission Bill that seeks to create National Medical Commission in place of Medical Council of India (MCI).
(With inputs from ANI)