Date:17/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/17/stories/2006091712690400.htm

New Delhi

Medicos threaten agitation

Bindu Shajan Perappadan

`Recent notification will hurt private medical practitioners'

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI : The Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the Delhi Medical Association (DMA) have threatened to launch a nationwide agitation in case the Delhi Government does not withdraw parts of the recent notification pertaining to setting up of private clinics, diagnostic centres and nursing homes in the Capital, which they said are against the interests of private medical practitioners.

At a meeting here, the IMA president Dr. Sanjiv Malik said: "Some of the modifications that we object to include the clause that requires a minimum area of 200 sq. metres in a specified width for setting up a nursing home, that basements cannot be used for professional work, and that no nursing home or diagnostic centre is to be allowed in group accommodations in colonies. If these modifications come into effect, more than two-thirds of all medical establishments including clinics, diagnostic centres and nursing homes in Delhi will face closures.''

The doctors added that the recent notified modification of the Master Plan for Delhi-2001 had jolted the medical profession as it would lead to closure of more than 40,000 clinics in Delhi, including those practising allopathic, dental, physiotherapy, ayurveda, homoeopathy and other allied systems of medicine along with more than 1,000 nursing homes leading to a total collapse of health care facilities.

"More than 80 per cent of the health care services to the citizens of the Capital are being provided by private clinics, diagnostic centres and nursing homes. We are demanding that all present existing medical services be allowed to continue and that they be considered as essential public utility. We also want the registered nursing homes and private hospitals to be allowed to continue as per Directorate of Health Services' norms with a one-time permission fee irrespective of the plot size or road width to avoid a sudden collapse of medical facilities in the city and that basements be allowed for professional activities,'' said DMA Nursing Home Forum chairman V. K. Monga.