Dr K.K. Aggarwal took oath as Indian Medical Association’s (IMA) 88th president earlier this week at its 77th central council meeting. Dr Aggarwal has been a member of the IMA for over 25 years and has received multiple national awards, including the Padma Shri, Vishwa Hindi Sammaan, National Science Communication Award and the Dr B.C. Roy National Award. In an interview with The Sunday Guardian, Dr Aggarwal spoke on key issues concerning current medical education and professional scenario in the country. Excerpts:
Q. The IMA has been against disbanding of the Medical Council of India (MCI). How strongly will IMA oppose the move in your presidency?
A. We firmly stand against MCI’s disbanding and the IMA will do whatever it takes to convince the stakeholders that the proposal that is being made is against the democratic spirit of the MCI. However, the present IMC Act needs amendments to make it functionally more viable. The autonomy of the regulatory body has to be upheld. It cannot be trampled upon. It should not be subverted so as to reduce it as a subservient department to the government. It has to have its representative character. It cannot be a body of handpicked people nominated by the government so as to ensure that the dictates of the government reign supreme.
Q. The Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE) has been criticised for its “unrealistic” difficulty level. Do you have plans to recommend reform in the system?
A. We do not support removal of screening for doctors who have studied abroad and want to practice in India. We strongly recommend initiation of a month-long internship followed by posting in rural areas. We cannot allow half-baked doctors to start their practice without supervision. Screening is important to ensure that the doctor who is practising here is well aware of the native circumstances. But there should not be multiple screening tests as there are now.
Q. Critics have raised concern about the increasing number of Indian surgeons travelling to Gulf countries to conduct surgeries. Do you share this concern as well?
A. The argument that doctors are neglecting their patients by leaving their patients and not staying behind for post-surgery care is not valid in this case because the local teams of those hospitals are well skilled and equipped to take care of the patient after the surgery is done. These surgeons are called often for second opinions or to assist on a surgery. It also adds to their fame. It is a good thing if more Indian surgeons earn name internationally. As long as the local administration of these countries has no problems with our doctors leaving after surgeries, there should be no trouble.
Q. IMA is also planning to don the patriotic garb and sing the national anthem in their meetings. Your comment.
A. Every time an IMA meeting takes place, the members present will sing the national anthem after the meeting ends. Until now, it was optional, but we are trying to make it mandatory. We are aligning ourselves with the Supreme Court’s order. The national anthem is pivotal and centripetal to the basic conception of sovereignty and integrity of India. Every IMA branch should start its meeting with IMA prayer and end it with the national anthem. The national anthem has been made mandatory in movie theatres now. If it can be done there, why can’t we do it? If doctors cannot set an example, how can we inspire other people?
Q. Speaking about movie theatres, you have talked earlier about erroneous depiction of doctors and medical treatments in movies and dramas. Will you take any action against such depictions?
A. I strongly recommend that writers, directors and producers of movies and dramas be more responsible while making such scenes. Our profession is not one where we can allow room for misconceptions. At times, movies may depict a treatment that does not even exist or show doctors in bad light like in the movie Gabbar is Back. We understand it is all for entertainment, but it would be better to be more factually responsible.