Srinagar, Jul 31 (KNS): To show resentment against NMC bill, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) has called for 1 hour withdrawal of services on Thursday (August 1) from 10 AM to 11 AM. “The non-essential services, including OPDs, will be shut from 10 a.m. on till 11 a.m. on Thursday but emergency services like casualty, operation theatres, ICU and related services will function normally,” said a spokesperson of DAK in a statement.

The DAK has asked medical students of various medical colleges in State to boycott classes in solidarity.

DAK President Dr Suhail Naik said that NMC bill is ‘draconian’ in nature and is going to degrade and degenerate the health and medical education system of country.

Dr Naik said that section 32 of the NMC Bill provides for licensing of 3.5 lakhs unqualified non-medical persons to practice modern medicine.

“The bill has vaguely defined term Community Health Provider and allows anyone associated with modern medicine to get registered in NMC and be licensed to practice modern medicine. This would mean that all paramedics including pharmacists, nurses, physiotherapists, optometrists and others are becoming eligible to practice modern medicine and prescribe independently. This law legalizes quackery,” he said.

Dr Owais H Dar General Secretary DAK said that if the Bill is not amended, it will lead to a deterioration in the standards of medical education. (KNS)