On Friday, doctors with the Indian Medical Association (IMA) evening burnt the replicas of their medical registration certificates, highlighting the issues that are related to treatment rates at COVID hospitals, availability of limited oxygen and challenges faced by doctors who run small and medium hospitals. Also, a 10-minute silent tribute in the remembrance of fellow doctors, who had died on duty while treating COVID patients was held on Friday.

President of IMA’s Pune chapter, Dr Aarti Nimkar said that the treatment rates at COVID hospitals were fixed unilaterally without even discussing with doctors or hospitals and whether they were affordable or not. Due to these unaffordable rates, several private hospitals in the state are about to close due to financial reasons. She further said that there is a lack of trust on the part of the government towards private hospitals.

According to chairman of the action committee of IMA, Dr Sanjay Patil, the exorbitant rates are been forced on the doctors and the doctors are also being prosecuted by the auditors in any minor mistake in the bills that are prepared with the high-priced rates.

An official statement by the IMA, said that it is a violation of their right to fix hospital rates. Forcing the doctors and asking them to alter as per the government’s unilateral and monocratic orders is absolutely biased. The cause for the failure to handle the coronavirus pandemic in Maharashtra is due to the short-sighted, inhumane, unscientific and repressive practices of the administrators. They are completely responsible for controlling the current epidemic in this manner, by tyrannising the doctors instead of consulting them. All the local residents are aware of the contribution of the private hospitals in managing the COVID-19 outbreak in Maharashtra.

The leaders of PMC and all political parties and authorities have given comprehensive statements regarding the domineering treatment and foul statements against the doctors and regarding the unaffordable and unfair hospital rates. IMA leaders will give apetition to extend their support for the reasonable demands of the doctors.

Source: The Indian Express