Medical Association calls for Nationwide shutdown today, Assam doctors come out in support

NEW DELHI: A nationwide doctors’ strike has been called on Friday against the government’s decision to allow post-graduate Ayurvedic doctors to perform surgeries. The strike is expected to cause major disruptions in the healthcare services across the country amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called for a withdrawal of all non-essential and non-covid services between 6 am and 6 pm on Friday. However, emergency services, including casualty, labor rooms, and emergency surgeries, will be exempt from the strike along with ICU and CCU.

Excelcare Hospitals Guwahati in Assam has also extended support to the nationwide strike called by the IMA. However, the authorities have informed that the emergency services will remain unaffected.

Private hospitals across the country have raised concern over the strike and are taking steps to ensure the smooth functioning of services.

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The IMA alleged that misappropriating 58 surgical techniques and procedures of several specialties will end up only in compromising with patient care and safety.

On Tuesday, doctors in private and government sectors across the country had demonstrated against the notification in Ayurveda surgery by the Central Council of Indian Medicine.

Speaking about the strike, Smita Naram, co-founder of Ayushakti Ayurveda said, “The strike announced raises a question on the age-old practices of our nation and questions the trust which has been passed over through generations in our country.”

There is a health emergency and pausing services, even if they are non-essential, can trigger a series of serious issues, she said, adding people with serious medical issues will be at risk if they don't get proper treatment in time.

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