Dr G Samaram
National President, Indian Medical Association
Presidential Address
My Greetings:
Immediate Past President Dr. Ashok Adhao, Hon’ble Chief Guest, Guests of Honour, Office Bearers and members of IMA, Ladies & Gentlemen!
I am honored to stand before you as a National President of IMA and I am deeply grateful to all the members of IMA for unanimously electing me as the National President.
It’s my heartfelt wish to extend my namaskars to all of you, on this wonderful occasion and it’s a proud privilege to share my thoughts with you on the occasion of my oath taking ceremony as national president of IMA.
My salutes to stalwarts of IMA:
Whenever I think of IMA, I felt the overwhelming emotional wave, a wave so mighty that engulf my whole continuum of my mind.
The great stalwarts —
Dr. B.C. Roy who is excelled as humanitarian politician involving in freedom movement, not only liberated our country but also play a major role in alleviation of pain & poverty of the common man.
Dr.AKN Sinha, the moderator who pioneered the functionality of the IMA in a more scientific manner and transformed the entire image of our association as the best scientific body.
Dr.Ketan Desai : We are extremely happy to have the leadership of Dr. Ketan Desai, Past National President of IMA and President of Medical Council of India. The entire medical profession congratulates Dr. Ketan Desai on being elected as the President of the World Medical Association. His inspiration and leadership will guide me during the next one year.
Dr.N.Appa Rao : A man with Simplicity personified and having deeds of humbleness and having his presence felt nation-wide as national coordinator is none other than our Dr. N.Appa Rao. He has been extending his helping hand to every member and he is such a great person who never opts for any post.
Late Dr.Y.S.Rajasekhar Reddy, dynamic leader and having concern for medical fraternity, by whom the historical medical protection act was promulgated.
My predecessors - Dr.Ashok Adhao, Dr.Ajay Kumar, Dr.Abbas, Dr.Sudipto Roy And Other Stalwarts like –Dr.Dharam Prakash, Dr.Velayudhan Pillai, Dr.Vinay Agarwal, Dr.N.K.Grover, Dr.S.N.Misra,Dr.Jayachandra Reddy and other dedicated soldiers of IMA who relentlessly dedicated their wisdom &expertise for the betterment of our association.
*I am also grateful to the Organizing Committee of this National Conference under the leadership of Dr. N. Appa Rao and I compliment the Organizing Committee for the excellent arrangements.
OUR ENDEAVORS
Everybody knows that our Association has became one of the largest service organizations by doing and participating in a number of projects which have been benefiting the common man.
Many plans have been implemented successfully by my predecessors, doing great benefit to both our fraternity and to the common man.
I warmly salute for their faithful commitment & dedication and my sincere heartfelt thanks to all the senior leaders, dedicated workers for making successful of the projects we have envisioned.
IMA’S PRESTIGEOUS PROJECTS
1. REVISED NATIONAL TB CONTROL PROGRAM:
The GFATM has sponsored the IMA – GFATM – RNTCP – PPM – Project since 2007 in 5 states and one union territory with an objective of involving private practitioners and RNTCP. IMA is involved in extending this project to 10 more states to involve 1.5 lakh members in RNTCP. Apart from this, the Eli-lily project is covering some more states in the RNTCP – PPM Project, I would urge all the members of the IMA to be actively involved in this project and participate as DOTs practitioners.
2. STOP SEX SELECTION :
The gender discrimination by use of pre-natal sex determination is strongly opposed by IMA and we are committed to eradication of this evil. IMA would not support or defend any doctor who either directly or indirectly participate in sex determination test and termination of pregnancy on the basis of the gender of the foetes. The importance of gender balance is vital for the socioeconomic growth of the country and the Medical Profession should not be involved in any discriminative practice. IMA has organized a project “STOP SEX SELECTION” and will be vigorously counseling all the members against sex selection. We are also happy that UNPA and ART of LIVING FOUNDATION have come forward to join hands with us to make this project a grand success.
3. ANEMIA FREE INDIA:
It is sad that in our country, millions of children and adolescence girls are anemic which is
detrimental to their physical health and intellectual development. IMA has taken the initiative to organize health camps whereby the detection and correction of Anemia will be done.
Similarly “Aaon, Gaon Chale” is a social responsibility of IMA and it is in the continued interest of the poor in the rural areas that each IMA branch adopts at least one village and provides comprehensive health and medical care to that village. Anemia Free India campaign can also be incorporated in the “Aaon, Gaon Chele” program.
4. HIV / AIDS SENSITIZATION AND TRAINING:
The prevalence of HIV / AIDS is a matter of deep concern to the Medical Profession and the changing trends in the disease would necessitate constant updating of knowledge of the doctors. I propose to initiate sensitization and training of doctors on HIV / AIDS which would includeknowledge of counseling of the patients. I suggest that the IMA branches having their own buildings can have counseling centers for HIV / AIDS patients.
5. THE H1N1 FLU (SWINE FLU) :
I am glad that IMA has launched the training program for our members on H1N1 Flu and I am confident that the members of our association will rise to the occasion and contribute to combating this dreadful pandemic.
Malaria and other vector borne diseases have been epidemic form in most states on a recurrent basis. It has been causing immense loss of life and also enormous strain on the health resources.
I strongly call on the govt. to invest heavily in supply of safe drinking water and effective sanitation methods as it will yield rich health and economic rewards to the society.
6. PHARMACOVIGILENCE:
IMA has started a separate cell for Pharmacovigilence and had conducted a National Seminar in Hyderabad in the year 2008. I would seek the cooperation of all the members in enhancing Pharmacovigilence activities so that the evil of spurious drugs and side effects of other drugs are documented.
WE APPRECIATE
1. “MEDICAL PROTECTION ACT”
An act that is historical which has been inculcating mental peace in our minds and promoting the
peaceful ambience to our fraternity from the attacks of anti-social elements. IMA is very grateful to Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy for promulgating this historical, medical protection act.
2. APEX COURT JUDGMENT:
“no doctor be arrested”
No doctor can be arrested under section 304, 304-A, even if there is some negligence. According to apex court in the criminal appeal nos : 144 & 45 of 2005 — To arrest a doctor, high degree of negligence is necessary. Simple lack of care or error cannot form the basis for criminal prosecution.
So, if police arrests any doctor, the doctor can initiate “contempt of court” against those police.
My Theme of the Year
“BE IN HEALTH. BE ACTIVE IN PUBLIC HEALTH.”
Unless we the doctors are hale & healthy, how can we deliver our services to the
humanity? It’s the fundamental requisite, that all of us should keep our health fit.
For this, my advice to all local branches is- organize half yearly free health screening
camps by eminent specialist doctor’s panel for all local branch members.
So, please take care of your health & take care of public health.
MY AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The confluence of many cultures, traditions, thoughts making our association as one of the greatest service organization in the world. Our association’s administration is sticking strictly to democratic norms and it has no parallel in its way of functioning.
My dear friends, I have five aims & objectives for our association
1. STRENGTHENING THE ORGANIZATION :
IMA one way is Non-governmental service organization providing health care to the citizens of India. On another way it is a trade union to protect the interests of the doctors.
Our membership is nearly two lakhs. Still there are many more doctors who didn’t join the
revolution of the IMA.Unless all the qualified, modern medicine doctors join under one umbrella, we don’t have effective weightage to our voice.
To protect our interest we should be in a position to demand the Government to achieve our aims & objectives
2. STRENGTHENING THE FINANCIAL POSITION :
Any organization to thrive successfully needs sound finance position. For this to happen, I invite suggestions from the learned members and I promise you that I will try to implement those suggestions positively.
3. BETTERMENT OF MEDICAL FRATERNITY:
Our concern to young doctors - Single window system: Individual guidance on professional, employment, ethical and financial issues — Single window system for all new doctors those want to join as members, starting practice, higher education, research, employment, equipment purchases, study material etc.. It’s an opportunity for our IMA to extend our expertise to safe guard the interests of younger fraternity. It will attract the young doctors in to our fold with in no time.
Employment handbooks : Our association will get the all information about vacancy
posts all over India in health sector and publish it in the IMA news or can come out with quarterly hand book.
Pension scheme : All the government employees have pension facility. But the doctors
in private sector have no such facility and everybody knows the value of the benefits of pension in the old age. Many insurance companies have pension plans. Our association in collaboration with insurance companies can facilitate the pension policy to our members as like mediclaim policy which we have felicitated to our members successfully. IMA is a true saviour of the medical fraternity aiming that, every doctor should be in peace of mind.
Discounted medical supplies service:
Supply of equipment and other costly drugs to our members at subsidized prices by negotiating with manufacturers.
What our association can do to our brothers in government service ? National and local negotiation on terms and conditions of doctors in service. We can negotiate the terms, working conditions, wages, emoluments and other monitory issues with government and private employers, if the situation demands. Any association if works in unison with other sister organizations, it will give lot of goodwill mileagein long run.
Personal benefits
Co-branded credit card exclusively for IMA members: Our association is endorsing some products. Like that, We can negotiate the terms and conditions with bank authorities in issuing of credit cards to our IMA members with monitory concessions on transactions and discounted tariffs for accident insurance and Mediclaim policies.Cashless health insurance and group term insurance policies, Home, hospital, motor vehicle and travel insurance can also club with this card.
Strengthening of the media wing : Small organizations getting lot of mileage for their small contribution to the society. But, our IMA is not in the limelight and is not getting its due respect and coverage in the public, even though our contribution is in mammoth scale. We should allocate funding to print and electronic media and the channel usage should be maximum.
So, its foremost on my agenda, that we have to made our media wing more aggressive and the political and social lobbying is prime duty of my tenure.
4. BETTERMENT OF MEDICAL EDUCATION :
Quality medical education and sufficient faculty in medical institutions : Uniform quality medical education in compliance world medical education standards. All decisions regarding revamping of medical schools, curriculum should be in compliance with Indian Medical Degrees Act.
An integrated curriculum provides a meaningful learning experience, as learning takes place in a context (contextual learning). It also promotes a holistic approach to patients and their problems.
The MCI has recommended both horizontal (e.g., anatomy, physiology- biochemistry) and vertical integration (e.g., anatomy with surgery) to be introduced throughout the curriculum. Close to the concept of integration is the philosophy of problem based learning (PBL), introduced in many medical schools outside India.Problem based learning (PBL) or modular approach has been found to be a useful and effective educational strategy to produce graduates who are good problem solvers.
Everybody is appreciating the efforts of IMA, in continuing education programs under the flag of IMA-A.K.N. SINHA institute. My sincere congratulations to all the people behind this institute, and the teams committed to CGP & AMS faculties.
To extend our reach for better medical education, I have some plans.
* IMA Representative in Every Medical School.
* Student IMA News And Student JIMA : Two Editions Shall Allocate Exclusively To
The Medicos And PG Students.
* IMA Library, Including Free Access To E - Journals.
* Online Coaching Centers For UG & PG Entrance and Online MOCK Examination To UG,PG, MCI Screening – TESTS (Essential Exam Revision Resources From Online Examination).
* Provision and Facilitation of Medical Education Distance Mode, Class Room Mode
and other Clinical Training Modes.
* Provision of Distance Education Certificate & Diploma Courses, in Joint Collaboration With Recognized Universities. We have to negotiate with Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Jawaharlal Nehru Technological Univeristy (JNTU) and other deemed universities in different regions to facilitate various courses relevant to health care – Clinical Radiology, Sonology, Cardiology, Emergency Care and other in demand vocational courses to our MBBS Graduates.
* Liaison with Biotech Institutions, Management Institutions, and Health Universities
to provide alternate education to MBBS graduates.
* Encouraging doctors to join in research.
* Publishing bulletins and magazines to provide doctors and patients unbiased and objective information on drugs and rational therapy or having tie-up with the Bulletin on Drug and Health Information (BODHI). Since 1994, BODHI has been published every two months to inform general practitioners all over India on rational drug therapy.
5. BETTERMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH :
“Where the health authorities fail – IMA be there to safeguard the health
of common people”. This should be the slogan of our IMA.
Our IMA has to extend cooperation to the government at every needy step, especially in the following health parameters
*Sanitation
*Safe water supply
*Awareness about communicable and contagious diseases
*Safer Sex
*Immunization
*Antenatal, Postnatal and Neonatal Care
*Nutritional Supplementation.
WE STRONGLY OPPOSE
Quackery & quacks - The primary care can not be sustained unless we control the
quacks and quackery. The so called RMP & PMP’s spoiling the health in the guise of providing first aid. The ACTs, regulations, court judgments doesn’t modify our govt.’s mindset.
- The A.P.GOVT. G.O. 429–which facilitates to impart training to the RMP & PMPs to make them as community paramedics,when there are so many Nurses and paramedics are suffering with unemployment. what is the role and value of paramedic and nursing council? Its mere backdoor entry of quacks in to the main health care system. Even our Constitution and apex courts are proclaiming that quacks are
to be prohibited, why the A.P. State Government taken this hasty decision? So, IMA strongly urges immediate withdrawal of G.O. No.429
OUR DEMANDS
Our demands are genuine and has the backing of almost 2 lakh doctors
WE DEMAND THE GOVERNMENT TO :
1. Increase Budgetary allocation for health : The average health status
for the country as a whole is poor and the per capita spending on health is also low by international standards. Public health spending is indeed among the lowest in the world, both as a share of the gross domestic product and per capita. Public Health Expenditure in India has declined from 1.3% of GDP in 1990 to 0.9% of GDP in 1999. The Union Budgetary allocation for health is 1.3% while the State’s Budgetary allocation in average is 5.5%
2. More Medical Colleges in economically backward states :
Even medical colleges are unevenly spread: the four southern states have 63 per cent of the colleges and 67 per cent of the seats. The states with the biggest shortfalls in medical personnel are predictably - Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh along with the North Eastern states, Orissa and Haryana.
3. Strict implementation of the safe injection practice, biowaste
management, and control of the low and irregular
dosing of medicines which is leading to drug resistance.
4. Addressing the problems of geriatric population : By the year
2020 our country’s population of above 60 years would reach 60% of the total population, which means our country has to allocate more funding to meet the welfare of the geriatric population.
And our country is going to face economical drain to address the psychological, psychiatric and social problems of old people.
5. Implementation of e-technology across departments for easier, faster and
transparent activities.
OUR PROPOSALS TO GOVERNMENT
1. RECRUIT ALL DIPLOMA HOLDERS AS SPECIALISTS IN TEACHING
AND NON TEACHING HOSPITALS : What our IMA can do to P.G. Diploma holders
who have no MCI permission to enroll as teaching faculty, even though they are trained for two years in their respective fields?
The dearth of the teaching faculty plaguing the medical colleges, leading to substandard training of our medicos. So, these two problems can be addressed by allowing the PG Diploma holders to promote as teaching faculty in their respective subjects after certain stint (say 5 years) of tutorship.
2. WAIVER OF PHARMACIST LICENSE TO THE DOCTOR MANAGED
DISPENSARIES : Our doctors are well versed with Indian pharmacopeia. When these doctors manage the dispensaries, is it rationale to ask them to secure pharmacist license to dispense drugs?
3. APPOINTING COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGISTS in all higher secondary
schools, colleges, juvenile homes to address the aggravating mental disturbances in the today’s scenario.
4. HELPING THE RURAL DOCTORS : What can we do to our rural fraternity? The
rural doctors, who in spite of lack of proper infrastructure, still delivering their committed services. Good UGC scale salary, better emoluments, allowances and free TA to seminars to govt. sector employees.
5. SOFT LOANS TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT
6. DOMESTIC ELECTRIC TARIFF TO THE PRIVATE MEDICAL
ESTABLISHMENTS
7. SEZ”-SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES FOR HEALTH CARE SECTOR.
8. UNIFORM DRUG QUALITY CONTROL.
9. IMA & NATIONAL RURAL HEALTH MISSION : The IMA is appreciating the
efforts of govt. in framing such a nice useful policy--national rural health mission— NRHM
envisages bringing up the CHC (Community Health Centre) services to the level of Indian Public Health Standards. CHC (Community Health Centre) will function as peripheral surveillance unit and collate, analyze and report information to District Surveillance Unit. Let be our IMA in Public private mix with NRHM.
I M A must be included in Institutional arrangement at national, state and district levels like – village health samiti, rogi kalian samiti, district & state & national health mission task groups.
N C H R H (N a t i o n a l C o u n c i l f o r H u m a n R e s o u r c e s for health): The apex body going to monitor all branches of health education and medical practice. IMA should be included in the council.
OUR VOYAGE
We should move forward along with other specialty organizations and NGO associations to
make our country free of ailments and diseases. Public private mix is one of the tried strategies which have been giving some fruitful results.
NACO, GFATM, CLINTON FOUNDATION, UNPF, PATH, ART OF LIVING FOUNDATION, RED CROSS SOCIETY are some of the organizations we have been proceeding further along the path to our common goal - HEALTH FOR ALL.
OUR COMMITMENT
1. TOWARDS THE BETTERMENT OF HEALTH CARE IN HEALTH
CARE DEPRIVED STATES :
Today there are 28 States and 7 Union Territories in India. But all these states are not similar in terms of level of development.
Punjab, Maharashtra, Haryana, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh are undoubtedly developed states. And Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh etc. are backward states. They are called backward, as not only their per capita income is low, but also the rate of economic growth is also very low.
To achieve the basic threshold level of Rs. 500 per capita public health spending,where are we now?
In the economically backward states it is only at Rs. 85/-.
The regional disparities also extend to the availability of medical personnel.
2. ROLE PLAY IN REDUCING THE GLOBAL WARMING :
Global warming, alternate droughts & floods, soil erosion, deprived food and water, more diseases …
A vicious cycle, which has to be stopped by every citizen of the earth.
3. MEETING THE CHALLENGES IN INDIAN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM :
We found few challenges in our health care system
Indian healthcare system is witnessing three major challenges :
A. CHALLENGE POSED BY DISEASES :
i) Conventional Communicable Disease Burden Along with Resurgence Of Old Diseases
and Threat By Global Climate Change.
ii) The Rise of Degenerative Lifestyle Diseases like Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases;
iii) Emergence of New Diseases Like HIV/AIDS, Bird Flue, Swine flu
iv) The response by the modern private health care system in the rural areas, where disease
burden is mounting, is still negligible.
B. SECOND CHALLENGE IS, FINANCIAL AND BUDGETARY
CONSTRAINTS under the economic restructuring regime. The Public Private Partnership
that was initiated to inject some funding in the public healthcare has never been fruitful.
Health sector financial allocation is still much lower than comparable economies like China.
C. SEGREGATION OF DOCTORS ONLY IN URBAN REGIONS. That the
estimated density of all doctors and health workers in India is about 20% less than the
WHO norm of 2.5 health care personnel (doctors, nurses and midwifes) per 1000
population, meaning that there are substantial shortage of qualified health workers in the
country.
IMA HAS TO THINK OF
1. IMA MEDICAL COLLEGES
In the backdrop of recent relaxation of structural stipulations, adapting of district hospitals as teaching institutes, it’s a golden chance for our IMA to start a role model medical colleges in deficit areas of our country.
2. IMA HEALTH INSURANCE PVT. LTD. :
Clearly there is an urgent need to expand the health insurance net in India.
Why not our IMA enter into the most profitable health insurance sector?
We can jointly operate with any private company who needs assistance in expertise in like-data base of health care providers and hospitals, standardization of treatment protocols, reach of the private health sector, etc. One reason is that insurance companies lack the data they need to assess health risks accurately. Here our IMA can enter to provide that needy data).
3. IMA DRUG TESTING LABS :
At least 11 Indian states do not have laboratories for testing drugs, and more than half of existing laboratories are not properly equipped or staffed.
IMA can establish such type of labs which will bring lot of proximity with pharma companies and it gives lot of mileage for our Association.
MY DREAM
IMA- The Saviour
The WHO defines health as “the state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely an absence of disease and infirmity.”Where are we? At what stage we can proclaim that we are a healthy nation? How much time it takes for us to achieve that goal? What, we as the largest Association, have to do?
Health for all by 2000 –that has gone and merged in the cycle of the time.
Better late than never. We have to reach that goal by 2020 by the vision and commitment. We have tremendous power of people. We have intellectuality. We have wisdom. But what we lack is direction, focus and will to excel.
At this juncture, our association has to take active role to assist our Government health machinery and be in active health care.
*IMA in forefront of the activity ; - IMA in the proximity to the common man.
- IMA in the class room of medical institutions.
- IMA in the eyes of every doctor.
- IMA in the hearts of every organization — This is
my dream. A dream that has to be fulfilled by sheer hard work and faithful participation of our fraternity.
MY PLEDGE
I, Dr. G. SAMARAM, taking the oath in the name of my conscience and the commitment and dedication of our IMA soldiers and I will abide to the rules and regulations of our Association and will be faithful to our traditions. And I promise to serve for betterment of public health care, for better amenities to the medical fraternity and for better medical education.
I feel privileged and proud to serve an Association of highly qualified and intelligent people like you.
I am grateful to you all for giving me this opportunity to serve you. I really feel humbled. I hope and seek and expect full cooperation from whole IMA family. I am sure together we shall do it. In my endeavor to achieve goals, I request my seniors to guide me whenever, I am faltering.
Thanks to one and all,
LONG LIVE IMA
LONG LIVE INDIA
J A I H I N D.
Dr G SAMARAM
Cell : 8008 39 39 69
28th December, 2009
e-mail: drsamaram@hotmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment