The incredible Rise of IMA - Uncover the saga of Last 2 decades.

 The Indian Medical Association (IMA), remarkably incepted in 1928, predates the nation's independence, standing as a testament to its enduring legacy. As it approaches its centennial milestone, the IMA's journey is etched with countless victories, invaluable contributions, and inspiring success stories. Shaped by relentless hard work and unwavering dedication, this organization has evolved into the largest professional body of medical practitioners on the planet. More than just a medical association, the IMA serves as a dynamic beacon of good health practices, illuminating the path towards improved healthcare for all. It stands as a vibrant and essential contributor to the country's public health infrastructure, playing a crucial role in shaping health policies and promoting well-being across the nation.

• From groundbreaking beginnings to industry dominance, this is the two-decade success story of IMA.
• More than just an organization, IMA's 20-year journey is a saga of innovation, resilience, and ultimate triumph.
• For two decades, IMA defied expectations and built an empire. What was the secret?
• Can you build a successful professional association? IMA has proven that you can.
• Beyond safeguarding its 400,000 members, this organization is a force for public health, driving medical innovation and actively shaping government health initiatives from TB eradication to cancer prevention.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has made significant contributions to addressing pressing issues within the medical profession& for PUBLIC HEALTH . Here is a summary of some of their most notable achievements of last 2 decades, which is just a tip of the ice berg of this mega organization:

1. The BRHS proposal has been shelved by steadfast opposition from IMA.
2. the CE Act was rewritten AND postponed for a 5yrs,since its inception at draft state in 2007.
3. The IMA successfully advocated for the exclusion of medical and clinical services from the ambit of the CPA Act in parliament deliberations and even home minister himself stressed the need of relaxation to the medical profession from the CPA2019, even though it was not explicitly stated in the Act.
4. The Prevention of Violence Against Doctors, Medical Professionals and Medical Institutions Act, 2019, was introduced with provisions for punishment and compensation for violence against healthcare providers. Although the bill was put in abeyance in the Home Ministry, the IMA's relentless fight led to the issuance of the Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Ordinance in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Indian government also drafted the ‘Health Services Personnel and Clinical Establishments (Prohibition of Violence and Damage of Property) Bill’ in 2020, which was unfortunately suspended by the Home Ministry.
5. The IMA has successfully worked with relevant authorities to provide a protective umbrella for doctors against arrest in alleged negligence cases. Police authorities in various states, including AP, TN, and Kerala, have issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and the apex court delivered a protective judgment to safeguard the medical profession's rights.
6. The IMA has strongly opposed the policy changes in medical education proposed by the Centre, particularly the plan to combine modern medicine with AYUSH. As a result of the IMA's strong protest, the implementation of this integration policy has been delayed.
7. The IMA has made significant strides in the healthcare industry, particularly in terms of cashless insurance. However, there are still some obstacles that need to be addressed, such as standardizing prices based on scientific costing and addressing issues related to co-pay and out-of-pocket expenses (OOPE) with the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) and the General Insurance Corporation (GIC).
8. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) and other stakeholders have successfully delayed the implementation of the EXIT test, which is a significant achievement for the medical sector.
9. The IMA is currently lobbying with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Home Ministry to review the strict laws of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. These laws have been creating numerous difficulties and unwarranted complaints against doctors.
10. The IMA's efforts and advocacy have resulted in the healthcare sector being officially recognized as a distinct category separate from industries. Small and medium-sized establishments that do not emit 100KLD (kiloliters per day) and below 50 bed hospitals are now classified under the green category.
11. The IMA has successfully advocated for equal stipend for interns and residents across the country.
12. The Supreme Court has directed medical colleges to provide internship stipends to foreign medical graduates on par with their Indian counterparts.
13. All medical services, including those provided by clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes, are eligible for MSME registration and can take advantage of the benefits offered to MSMEs.
14. The IMA has achieved a significant victory against fake ads. The Supreme Court directed Patanjali to stop all print and electronic ads that make misleading claims about its products and their medical efficacy. The court has temporarily banned all forms of advertisements for Patanjali's medicinal products and refused to allow ads “without adjectives.”

Kudos and big thanks to all Teams led superbly by stalwart leaders as national presidents along with the Guidance of most dynamic &inspiring leader Dr. DESAI KETAN DHIRAJLAL, who contributed their might and time for the betterment of the medical fraternity of the nation and best practices in health care and health of the nation. 

Nearing a century of shaping India's health, the Indian Medical Association stands as a testament to pre-independence vision and unwavering dedication - but to ensure its legacy for the next 100 years, we must ask ourselves: what can we offer this beacon of progress, except contributing our time and money for construction of memorable and remarkable edifice for our great IMA!

Along with  donations, shouldn't we ask: what lasting mark will we leave on the IMA's future, beyond our checkbooks and volunteer hours?

          =============================================================

"From polio eradication to national health campaigns, we'll uncover the Indian Medical Association's unsung contributions to shaping India's public health in our next post."