IMA releases health manifesto for parties

The national organisation of doctors, Indian Medical Association, has come out with a "health manifesto" for all political parties and candidates for Lok Sabha elections.

The manifesto contains various suggestions to improve public health, change policy directions, streamline medical education and improve medical research.

According to IMA national president Dr Santanu Sen, there is insufficient health funding, and the GDP in health care is at a dismal 1.2%.

The out-of-pocket expenditure is one of the highest for our country and every year 3.3% of people are pushed below poverty line due to health spending.

The GDP in health care has to be increased to 5%, said a statement signed by Sen and others, including Dr R V Asokan, IMA's honorary secretary general.

The manifesto also says: The primary and preventive care should be given top priority.

Wellness centres have to be reconceived and they have to be manned by MBBS graduates.

MBBS doctors are ready to work in rural areas and the IMA can facilitate availability of manpower to the primary care centres.

There should be recruitment boards to recruit MBBS graduates for primary care.

The IMA will launch a country-wide 'health first' campaign to propagate the manifesto among the candidates, political parties and the general public.

The local units of the IMA will conduct public meetings and seminars, in which the candidates for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections will be invited.