SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Sept 2: Despite taking an active part in the implementation of programmes and agitation for doctors, Jharkhand has not been given any representation in the new 60-member national body of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) for 2022-23 and 2023-24 sessions.
In the new committee, which was declared on Wednesday, Dr Sharad Kumar Agrawal of Uttar Pradesh and Dr RV Asokan of Kerala were elected (unopposed) the national presidents for 2022-23 and 2023-24 sessions respectively.
In this body, Jharkhand has not been given any representation. In fact, after 2015, no one from Jharkhand has been elected to the national body.
In 2006, Dr Ajay Kumar Singh of Ranchi was elected the national vice-president and again in 2015, he was elected national chairman (academic) through a poll.
Sources said that no member from the state had filed a nomination for any post in the national body election. So no representation has been given to Jharkhand.
At the same time, three candidates from Bihar IMA filed nominations and all trio Dr Sachinand Kumar (for vice-president post) Dr Sanjiv Ranjan Kumar (executive secretary), and Dr Deepak Kumar Singh (joint secretary) were elected unopposed.
Former national vice-president and patron of Jharkhand IMA Dr Ajay Kumar Singh expressed disappointment over the ignorance of the state’s representation in the national body.
“Jharkhand IMA has worked for the national body on each issue. Even the national body president and secretary general had highly appreciated the works of Jharkhand IMA. Especially, IMA women’s wing of Jharkhand has done tremendous work in the field of cervical cancer, Mission Pink, eye and other in such condition omission of Jharkhand representation in the national body is disappointing,” said Dr Singh.
Dr Ajay Kumar Singh said the post does not matter for doctors who do selfless service but young members of Jharkhand would have been encouraged had been given representation to state in the national body.
IMA in Jharkhand is still agitating for the implementation of the Medical Protection Act and amendment to the Clinical Establishment Act. Recently, the IMA launched a protest against the ban on the private practice of doctors. “No other IMA state chapter in the country would have done as Jharkhand IMA is doing per medicos,” said Ajay Kumar Singh.
However, he held the members of IMA responsible too for not showing interest. He said, “Without filing a nomination, how anyone could have been elected? ‘Expression of interest ‘ has to show. Members had to venture for the post. Merely being active on WhatsApp and social media would not ensure post in election albeit physical presence is necessary across the country for support.”
IMA state president Dr AK Singh and secretary Dr Pradeep Kumar Singh said that they had got an offer of a vice-president post but they did not accept. another person from the state did not show interest.
