‘Centralised Act for violence against doctors soon; IMA’s pursuance succeeds’
| Date :22-Sep-2019 |
Dr Santanu Sen
By Vikas Vaidya :
Dr Santanu Sen, National President of Indian Medical Association (IMA), is ninth from West Bengal to head the largest body of doctors. Dr Sen is a Member of Parliament of Trinamool Congress headed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee. He won election of President of IMA by a whopping votes, over 1,800. He has strong views about National Medical Commission or Clinical Establishment Act and other policies of Central Government regarding medicos. While raising issues of medicos, Dr Sen makes it a point, his ideology or the party he represents should not come between the dialogue. Dr Sen was in the city to inaugurate IMA’s annual event ‘NIMACon’.
He talked to ‘The Hitavada’ on how he thinks beyond partyline for the welfare of his fraternity. Excerpts: Were any plans in your mind when you took over as National President of IMA? Dr Sen: I had several things in my mind to be done for welfare of doctors and take IMA to new peak. But I think priority was to be given to some issues. I tried in that direction and to some extent, I am satisfied that I did something concrete for the fraternity. What is your take on violence against doctors? Do you think, the Act that was brought into force, is effective? Dr Sen:
I had given priority to this issue. Violence against doctors is a very big issue. In fact, Central Government should treat it as national issue. I met Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Health Minister and explained the issue to him. I insisted on centralised Act for the same. Fortunately, the Government agreed and came up with a constitution of inter-ministerial committee for preparing a draft for the Act for violence against doctors. IMA is given due importance in preparing the draft which I welcome. On several occasions people face brazenness of doctors. Do you still justify their behaviour?
Dr Sen: As far as unprofessional behaviour is concerned, it is being seen in every sector. Medical sector is no exception. But all doctors are not to be blamed. This also should be taken into the account in such incidents. I suggest doctors should stress on developing better doctor-patient relationship. Similarly, I appeal people to have faith on medicos. They should be patient enough. In a sorry incident, a 73-year-old doctor was beaten up to death in Assam for no fault of his. The act of people cannot be justified as well. The senior medico was ill-treated by the people whom he served without taking a single penny. It has been witnessed that many doctors were imposed hefty fine, thanks to the Consumer Protection Act? Do you feel it’s right, doctors being in the ambit of the Act?
Dr Sen: In fact, doctors in the past suffered a lot due to the Act. Many people have misused it. I endeavored to bring doctors out of the purview of the Act and I succeeded. Now, healthcare is no more a part of the Act. I feel proud that it was also done during my tenure. Because of the Act, doctors used to ask patients to go for several investigations maybe unnecessary, but it was necessary to save doctors themselves. In a way, healthcare is no more a part of the Act, general public also should heave a sigh of relief. You coined the concept of doctors for communities. What is that?
Dr Sen: People allege, doctors work for doctors only. They don’t care for the communities, society. It is not true. Now, I have coined the concept ‘Doctors for Communities’. We want to tell people, doctors are at their services. They want to render for the good health of the common man. We are going to public and spreading our thought. It is a part of strengthening doctor-patient relationship. What is your opinion about National Medical Commission (NMC)?
Dr Sen: We have been opposing NMC as it is bringing corporatisation in health sector. India is a democratic country and it is dumped in medical sector by introducing NMC. We made certain recommendations which Central Government accepted. For example, representations to states was to be made in a rotation-basis. Now, all the states would get the representation. Of course, this is one small part. We want certain things to be amended.
The exit test, inclusion of non-medicos, no provision of punishment to quacks, treating even the ambulance driver as healthcare personnel, giving free hand to medical colleges to charge fees as per their whims and fancies. With the passage of NMC bill now what is your next course of action? Dr Sen: The Bill is passed by the Parliament and President of India also has signed it. That does not mean changes cannot be made. We will keep fighting for our rights and pressing for the demands. Changes can be brought and IMA should be involved in it.