Shameful attack on medical establishments

Report on violent incidents in Haryana during Jat Agitation ( Attack on some of the medical establishments)

I. Rohtak

Rohtak has been the worst hit. A violent mob of around 10000 anti social agitators armed with weapons like guns, swords, farsas and lathis etc freely moved in the city and caused arson, rioting and extensive destruction of Public Properties. Shops in markets and malls, showrooms, cinema halls, schools and hotels, from Subhash Chowk to Medical College Mor, were looted and set ablaze. Medical Establishments affected in Rohtak are as follows:

          1. Narula Diagnostic Centre: run by Dr Arun Narula, immediate Past President IMA Rohtak having the facilities of MRI, CT scan and Ultrasound etc. The Centre has been completely burnt and destroyed.

          2. Life-Care Hospital: has been extensively damaged.

          3.  Medical establishments of Dr Joginder Kadian ( Orthopaedician), Dr SB Siwach, Dr Vinod Malik, Dr. Kapil Sangwan ( Sunflag Hospital) and Dr Satish Gulati ( Bharat Nursing Home) were also attacked but fortunately incurred minor damage.

II. JhajjarShops in the main market Jhajjar were looted and burnt by a violent mob of around 5000 hooligans.

          Nursing Home of President IMA Jhajjar Dr Jagmohan Kapoor was also attacked but fortunately incurred minor damage.

III. JindMany shops in main market were looted and damaged by unruly mob.
Neelam Ultrasound Centre and Aastha Hospital Jind were attacked and window panes were broken. The mob also attempted to burn gensets of both these medical centres.

IV. HisarSome shops in market were looted and damaged.
1. Nalwa Lab owned by Dr JPS Nalwa, President IMA Hisar was attacked by unruly mob. Window panes of the centre were smashed and his two cars parked outside were also damaged.
2. Lamba Nursing Home at Red Square Market, owned by Dr RS Lamba was also attacked causing damage to furniture and equipment. Fortunately the situation was immediately brought under control.

V. KalanaurOn Sunday, 21st February, 2016, a mob comprising around 5000 hooligans attacked the main market of Kalanaur . Almost all shops of main market were brutally looted and set ablaze. Local Police Station was also burnt.
Main Medical Centre of Kalanaur, owned by Dr Satish Chugh was also on the hit list of miscreants  but with the grace of God, escaped any damage.

          Many Medical Establishments in smaller towns like Kalanaur, Jhajjar, Hansi and safidon etc. are still closed in the aftermath and also due to fear of further possible attack.

         Team IMA ( Haryana) vociferously appeal to the Government that the damages caused to Medical Establishments should be promptly and adequately compensated. Those who have committed this heinous crime should be brought to book and stern action should be taken against them under Haryana Medicare Act 2009.

          These violent incidents which not only cause damage to National property but also act as a wedge to divide the communities coexisting with harmony and brotherhood. 

Dr SS Agarwal, Dr KK Aggarwal

AND Team IMA HARYANA

This is published from communication received from IMA.

IMA MERCURY PHASE OUT POLICY

IMA MERCURY PHASE OUT POLICY

In accordance with the Minamata Convention on Mercury, all IMA members are requested to phase out Mercury containing BP Instruments and Thermometer by 27^th December 2016.

Mercury is one of the most toxic natural elements. It is a global contaminant and Neurotoxic and has an adverse effect on the human nervous system and other body parts. Mercury is significantly associated with the Health Care Industry and it is used in Thermometers, Blood Pressure measuring instruments (sphygmomanometers), esophageal dilators and dental amalgams.

In this background, it is decided to phase out the mercury containing equipments i.e. B.P. apparatus and thermometers in all the Health Care Institutes and Clinics. It is further decided to purchase only the Mercury free digital thermometer and Aneroid B.P. apparatus. This has been adopted in our Procurement Policy as well.

All IMA Hospitals and health centers are advised to phase out mercury containing equipments (thermometer, BP instruments etc.) and replace them with good quality non mercury equipments, in order to prevent the toxic effects of mercury on patients and health care workers.

Until the mercury based equipments are fully phased out, following guidelines will be used for management of Mercury waste.

a)      As mercury waste is a hazardous waste, the storage, handling, treatment and disposal practices should be in line with the requirements of Government of India’s Hazardous Waste (Management, Handling and Trans-boundary Movement) Rules 2008, which may be seen at website www.cpcb.nic.in

b)      Mercury-contaminated waste should not be mixed with other biomedical waste or with general waste. It should not be swept down the drain and wherever possible, it should be disposed off at a hazardous waste facility or be given to a mercury based equipment manufacturer.

c)      Precaution should be taken not to handle mercury with bare hands and as far as possible; jewellery should be removed at the time of handling mercury. After handling mercury, hands must be carefully washed before eating or drinking. Appropriate personal protective equipment (rubber gloves, goggles / free shields and clothing) should be used while handling mercury.

d)     Mercury-containing thermometers should be kept in a container that does not have a hard bottom. Prefer a plastic container to a glass container, as the possibility of breakage will be less.

e)      In case of breakage, cardboard sheets should be used to push the spilled beads of mercury together. A syringe should be used to suck the beads of mercury. Mercury should be placed carefully in a container with some water. Any remaining beads of mercury will be picked up with a sticky tape and placed in a plastic bag, properly labeled.

Reporting formats must be used to report and register any mercury spills / leakages.

Health Care Establishments in Delhi may contact the following two agencies for the disposal of the Mercury Waste (generated from broken / discarded Mercury based Thermometers / B.P. Apparatus etc.) stored in the Hospitals / health Care Establishment:

1)      Shri Rohit Talwar

      M/s Supreme Surgico, 262 / 425, Lane No.8

      Friends colony Industrial Area,

      Shadara, Delhi (Mobile No: 9958527527)

2)      Shri Sandeep Kalra,

      M/s Anita Industries, 29, Bhagat Singh Market

      New Delhi (Mobile No: 9810240250)

All State Branches are required to designate similar agencies in the respective States in consultation with the local authorities.

Dr S S Agarwal                                           Dr K K Aggarwal 

   National President                              Padma Shri & Dr B C Roy National Awardee

   Indian Medical Association                   Honorary Secretary General

This is posted here to reach out to more IMA members ,and shared from communication received from IMA head quarter.

Another victory for IMA: Rule 3(3)(1)(b) of the PNDT Rules is ultra vires and non-pelvic ultrasonologists to be out of PCPNDT act with some riders

Another victory for IMA: Rule 3(3)(1)(b) of the PNDT Rules is ultra vires  and non-pelvic ultrasonologists  to be out of PCPNDT act with some riders

Ina landmark judgement W.P.(C) 2721/2014: INDIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION  vs UNION OF INDIA, IMA has been able to get a relief for the doctors in the country. The six month training rules are out and non-pelvic ultrasonologists are out of PCPNDT act with some riders.

The excerpts of the judgement

“ 98. We accordingly dispose of these petitions with the following declarations / directions:

(i) that Section 2(p) of the PNDT Act defining a Sonologist or Imaging Specialist, is bad to the extent it includes persons possessing a postgraduate qualification in ultrasonography or imaging techniques – because there is no such qualification recognised by MCI and the PNDT Act does not empower the statutory bodies constituted thereunder or the Central Government to devise and coin new qualification;

(ii) We hold that all places including vehicles where ultrasound machine or imaging machine or scanner or other equipment capable of determining sex of the foetus or has the potential of detection of sex during pregnancy or selection of sex before conception, require registration under the Act;

(iii) However, if the person seeking registration

 (a) makes a declaration in the form to be prescribed by the Central W.P.(C) Nos.6968/2011, 2721/2014 & 3184/2014 Page 82 of 83 Supervisory Board to the effect that the said machine or equipment is not intended for conducting pre-natal diagnostic procedures;

(b) gives an undertaking to not use or allow the use of the same for pre-natal diagnostic procedures; and,

(c) has a “silent observer” or any other equipment installed on the ultrasound machines, as may be prescribed by the Central Supervisory Board, capable of storing images of each sonography tests done therewith, such person would be exempt from complying with the provisions of the Act and the Rules with respect to Genetic Clinics, Genetic Laboratory or Genetic Counselling Centre;

 (iv) If however for any technical reasons, the Central Supervisory Board is of the view that such “silent observer” cannot be installed or would not serve the purpose, then the Central Supervisory Board would prescribe other conditions which such registrant would require to fulfil, to remain exempt as aforesaid;

(v) however such registrants would otherwise remain bound by the prohibitory and penal provisions of the Act and would further W.P.(C) Nos.6968/2011, 2721/2014 & 3184/2014 Page 83 of 83 remain liable to give inspection of the “silent observer” or other such equipment and their places, from the time to time and in such manner as may be prescribed by the Central Supervisory Board; and,

 (vi) Rule 3(3)(1)(b) of the PNDT Rules (as it stands after the amendment with effect from 9th January, 2014) is ultra vires the PNDT Act to the extent it requires a person desirous of setting up a Genetic Clinic / Ultrasound Clinic / Imaging Centre to undergo six months training imparted in the manner prescribed in the Six Months Training Rules.”

Note

2 (p) “sonologist or imaging specialist” means a person who possesses any one of the medical qualifications recognized under the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 or who possesses a postgraduate qualification in ultrasonography or imaging techniques or radiology;

2014 amending Rule 3(3)(1)(b) of the PNDT Rules as well as the amended Rule. The amended Rule3(3)(1)(b) is as under:- 3.3.(1)  Any  person  having  adequate  space  and being or employing— (a) .....(b) a Sonologist, Imaging Specialist, Radiologist or Registered Medical Practitioner having PostGraduate degree or diploma or six months training duly imparted in the manner prescribed in the“the Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques  (Prohibition  of  Sex  Selection)  (SixMonths Training) Rules, 2014; (c) ....

To read and comment on the judgement

http://www.emedinexus.com/user/postdetail/175182