Kerala: Government backing NEXT disapproved of by local IMA

Thiruvanathapuram: The state government’s support to the Indian Medical Council(Amendment)Bill, introduced by the Union Health Ministry has found disagreement with the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Kerala Chapter. The IMA has staged a protest against the bill making it mandatory for medical students to clear the National Exit Test (NEXT), to become doctors.

The IMA will observe a ‘protest day’ on Wednesday, all across the state by holding demonstrations at all medical college, said IMA State President, Dr V G Pradeep Kumar and Secretary, Dr Samuel Koshy.

They said that the agitation would gain momentum, if the government went ahead in implementing NEXT. The IMA has urged the government from refraining to take unilateral decisions regarding healthcare. Instead they have asked the authorities to take proper decisions in consultation with those working in medical education and health sector.

According to the IMA office bearers, the introduction of NEXT was improper, as there was continuous evaluation being done of medical students through out the 51/2 year period of study.

They further emphasized on the need for the government to hold talks for improving the quality of healthcare, increasing infrastructure and qualified faculty and ensuring research facilities. They said the government was just running away from realities by introducing of NEXT, reports the Indian Express.