(Video) Rajya Sabha TV (RSTV) The Big Picture: National Medical Commission Bill

Topic: National Medical Commission Bill

Guest:

R K Srivastava, (Former Director General, Health Services, GOI)
Aditi Tandon, (Special Correspondent, The Tribune)
Chakshu Roy, (Head of Outreach, PRS Legislative Research)
Dr. Gagan MS Malhotra, (Senior Physician // Visiting Consultant BLK Hospital)

Topic Description:

Resident doctors at government hospitals, including AIIMS and Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi, went on an "indefinite" strike from 8 am to protest the National Medical Commission Bill, 2019. Among the problems raised by the medical fraternity is Section 45 of the bill, which allows the government to override any suggestion of the National Medical Commission. The Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research in Chandigarh and Medical students and doctors in Kerala also joined the strike. The proposed legislation was passed by the Lok Sabha on Monday by voice vote. The bill looks to replace the existing Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 and reform the medical sector, in the wake of corruption allegations against the Medical Council of India. It also looks to regulate admission to medical colleges. The health minister defended the bill, describing it as "historic".