All immediate forms of agitation planned by Indian Medical Association (IMA), Manipur State Branch stands cancelled until further notice.
A decision to this effect was taken late on Wednesday following ‘certain clarifications and assurances’ by union minister for health and family welfare.
This was stated in a press release issued by IMA, Manipur State Branch.
Earlier, IMA Manipur state branch had announced to join the nationwide strike to protest against the certain provisions of the National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill 2019.
They were scheduled to go on strike on Thursday by withdrawing routine medical services for two hours (8 am to 10am) and wear black badges as a token of protest.
“However in a very recent development, a delegation of IMA under the leadership of IMA national president, Dr Santanu Sen along with other senior leaders, medical students’ representatives and junior doctors met with Dr Harsh Vardhan, stated the release.
The decision was taken in view of certain clarifications and assurances given by him.
These include prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir, flood situation in Northeast, Karnataka, Maharashtra and other parts of the country.
The untimely demise of former union minister Sushma Swaraj was also another reason.
The need for further dialogue and creating awareness about hazards of certain provisions of NMC, IMA deferred its call for withdrawal of services to a later date of choice, the release further stated.
The IMA has been protesting against the provisions of encouraging quackery in the new Bill which awaits President’s consent for approval.
The NMC Bill 2019 is unacceptable to the medical fraternity in the current format and it needs to be amended, functionaries of IMA Manipur state branch said.