IMA to form state-level panels to look at quality of healthcare

NEW DELHI: The Indian Medical Association (IMA), the national voluntary organisation of doctors, has announced the creation of a state-level Medical Redressal Commission that can look into the quality and social and financial aspect of healthcare practices – either on demand or suo moto.

The commission will be constituted of a prominent public figure, an IMA office bearer, one former state medical representative and two subject experts.

The move came in the light of two private hospitals in the national capital region being accused of negligence and overcharging. The association urged all doctors to follow the ALERT policy (Acknowledge, Listen in detail, Explain, Review and Thank you) to develop doctor-patient trust. “This will help in bringing down the increasing incidents of violence against doctors,” said Dr KK Aggarwal, president of the IMA.

The IMA also urged doctors, hospitals and the healthcare industry to employ self-regulation to increase the doctor-patient trust. Steps recommended by the IMA include doctors pref- erably prescribing drugs from the National List of Essential Medicines, promoting the Janaushadhi Kendras, transparent billings, provide options for cost-effective treatment at the time of admission.

“Doctors should actively participate in ensuring that no hospital sells any item priced higher than the MRP. No service charges should be added to procure drugs from outside. MRP shall not be dictated by the purchaser,” said Dr Agarwal.

The organisation urged the state government to subsidise the cost of emergency care, even at private hospitals.