Doctors go on one day strike againsat National Medical Commission

However, emergency and other critical services remained open.

Healthcare services at outpatient departments (OPDs) of various private hospitals in the state are affected by the protest while emergency services are functioning normally, said a member of the MCI State unit.

A bill to replace the apex medical education regulator - Medical Council of India (MCI) with a new body, to ensure transparency, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 29.

The strike shall be in effect from 6:00 am onwards on the proposed date until 6:00 pm, and as per the protest, this day will be observed as a black day.

The association said the new bill makes provisions for only 40 per cent seats in a private medical college to be regulated as far as fee was concerned while for the rest, the private colleges are free to fix the rates. The IMA called the move anti-people. "Talks are on. We have heard them and also presented our views". Tabled in Parliament by Federal Health Minister JP Nadda last week, it gives practitioners of Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy green light to practise modern medicine and prescribe allopathic drugs after attending a "bridge" course. "The amendments should be in favour of doctors", Dr Bharath Kumar, president, Karnataka Medical Students and Youth Doctors Association.

While doctors in government hospitals will continue their services, they will observe a "Black Day" by wearing a black arm band as their way of participating in the strike.

He said the bill should be submitted before the selection committee for scrutiny.

The bill also allows private colleges to decide fee for 60 per cent of the seats; it is 15 per cent now.

The Bill is aimed at bringing reforms in the medical education sector which has been under scrutiny for corruption and unethical practices, a senior health ministry official said. For instance, colleges will be allowed to start post-graduate courses and increase intake of students all on their own - without seeking permission from the NMC.