In the 89^th National conference ‘IMA NATCOM 2014’, organized by Indian Medical Association (IMA) at Ahmedabad, the discussions were held mainly on two topics: drafting ethical & unethical code of conducts and allowing NRI doctors to practice in India.

Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Shri J P Nadda emphasized on the key note of the evening which was ‘Aao Gaon Chale’, ‘Welcoming the girl child’ and also government’s initiative on ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ scheme.

Presently in India, only doctors that have Indian citizenship are allowed to practice in India. Soon, the Non-Residential Indians (NRI) doctors will be allowed to practice in India as well, earlier they were allowed to work in India only for the purpose of teaching, research and charitable activities that too with approval from Medical Council of India (MCI). This conversation took place due to the acute shortage of doctors in India with nearly 17 lakh doctors short. NRI doctors who had done their post-graduation in the, the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand would be allowed to practice in India. The aim of the move is to help reduce the shortage of doctors in India.

IMA will draft a new ethical & unethical code of conduct to curb corruption. And they will also formulate and explain the actions that would be taken against the violators.

• Only medical samples will be allowed
• Doctors will not be allowed to accept any gifts
• Uniform code is proposed doctors, pharmaceuticals firms and corporate houses
• Restrictions on irrational prescribing of drugs

If any associate is found to be guilty, there authorization will be immediately suspended.

Pharmaceutical companies can no longer provide free gifts, medical samples and grants to the doctors. The code will be voluntary initially for 6 months and will be reviewed after that, if it isn’t followed effectively, the government might make it compulsory.