IMA opposes gov’s bridge course proposal for Dentists
The Government’s proposal of allowing dentists to practice modern medicine is getting strong opposition from the Indian Medical Association(IMA).
Niti Aayog had proposed a Bridge Course between BDS and MBBS as an attempt to address the acute shortfall of doctors in the rural areas of the country. The proposal has already received a nod from the Prime Minister Office (PMO) earlier. But the Indian Medical Association (IMA) is threatening nationwide agitation in case the proposal is taken forward. According to IMA, the idea of bridge courses and mid-level practitioners to fill the gap doctors in rural areas is a myth.
“It is a criminal offence to let dentists into mainstream medicine by just doing a bridge course,” said IMA president Dr Santanu Sen.
“The government is not able to generate jobs for medical graduates. 63,250 MBBS graduates come out of 494 medical colleges and we have only 23,729 post-graduate seats. Every year the unemployment among young medical graduates is a cause for great concern then how can the government say that they will give jobs to dentists,’’ he added.
Dr R.V. Asokan, secretary general of the IMA, asked why a large number of MBBS graduates who are not absorbed into Post Graduate courses every year are not given employment by the Government. “The government’s attempts to provide half baked medical care to the citizens through mid-level practitioners are dangerous. The Government should give permanent postings to MBBS Graduates in the 1,50,000 wellness centres. Ad-hoc postings are unacceptable. This is nothing but a cruel exploitation of these hapless young graduates,” he said.
“Non-creation of new posts, new Public Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres(CHCs) due to budget constraints is the sole reason. Stagnating 1.1% of GDP as expenditure on Health by successive Governments is the sole reason for the miserable status of Health Care delivery in the country,” he added.
“The IMA demands that medical graduates be given their due, the health budget is flexed to include job creation for them and the government immediately abandon their half-baked proposal to convert dentists, nurses, pharmacists and Ayush practitioners into mid-level medical practitioners. IMA is left with no choice but to initiate a nation-wide protest against the move,’’ he said.
Source: The Hindu, Livemint.