*By Ranjan Dasgupta* *Monday Nov 29 2010, PUNE *
Pune-based psychiatrist, Dr Devendra K Shirole, was recently elected national vice-president of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) for 2010-12. He has held the posts of president of the Pune local branch and Maharashtra state branch of the organisation. He received IMA awards for being the best local branch president and best state branch president. He is also recipient of Dr RK Moorthy Award for excellence in the field of psychiatry and works at a hospital run by the Pune Municipal Corporation. He spoke to DNA about the role of the IMA in the healthcare sector and his priorities as office-bearer of the IMA. *What role does the IMA play in the country’s health sector? * The IMA has over 1.92 lakh members and more than 1,700 local branches. It is the only national voluntary organisation of doctors of modern scientific systems of medicine looking after the interests of doctors and the well-being of the community at large. The IMA also works for improvement of public health and medical education and maintenance of honour and dignity of the medical profession. *What are your priorities as national vice-president of the IMA? * The top priority is a national mental health programme. I would strive to establish a doctor-patient relationship cell. I would also facilitate IMA branches in organising continuing medical education (CME) courses, which help members accumulate CME hours necessary for renewal of registration. There is also a need to effectively implement IMA projects like Save the Girl Child. *There have been instances where doctors have been manhandled while treating patients. What role should the government play? * The IMA has been creating awareness about the doctor-patient relationship in society and the medical fraternity. The better the relationship between the two, the lower the chances of such ugly incidents. There is a need for awareness among the police and the public about the Maharashtra Medicare Service Persons and Medicare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss to Property) Act, 2010, so it will act as a deterrent. A team of doctors can be set up to help doctors during such instances of manhandling. We can also have a district grievance redressal cell for doctors and patients to sort out problems. The government can spread awareness in police stations and among the people about the Act. It can set up the doctor-patient cell for redressal of complaints. *What role can the IMA play in curbing sex determination tests and female foeticide? * The IMA has organised workshops for doctors, opinion makers, religious leaders and the common man to spread awareness on the issue. The IMA is implementing the ‘Save the Girl Child’ project along with the United Nations Population Fund. It has identified 50 ambassadors, who will help authorities implement the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex selection) Act, 1994, and organise awareness programmes. http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/interview_we-need-a-national-mental-health-programme_1473779 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Mental Health Advocacy (News 'N Views) India" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/MhaNewsViewsIndia?hl=en ------------- Affiliated Groups : MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY INDIA [email protected] Discussions on mental health law / policy / plan monitoring / human rights etc [email protected] India-specific news and views related to mental health [email protected] Information and support to carers of people with mental health issues [email protected] Mutual support and sharing of experiential knowledge, skills and social learning amongst peers
