Doctors appeal to Indian Medical Association to organise health care for protesting farmers 

Ludhiana: The farmers have been protesting at the Delhi borders for the last 50 days now. In this harsh winter they are facing several health problems and as a result many have unfortunately lost their lives. Under these circumstances they need regular medical care. Whereas the governments support is negligible several NGOs and doctor groups are coming forward to provide medical aid. A group of doctors have felt that Indian Medical Association, the premier body of the doctors should come forward under this situation to organise medical care to the farmers in an effective organised manner. It is moral, professional and ethical duty of the doctors to take care of the sick irrespective of any political affiliations. The doctors have appealed to the national president IMA to direct its units in different states particularly in and around Delhi to be proactive in providing medical aid to the farmers and fulfill their duty and carry forward the ideals of Bhai Ghanaiya and red cross.

The letter dated January 14, 2021 has been written to Dr J A Jayalal, National President, Indian Medical Association. It reads as under: 
 
“Doctors, lawyers and teachers have always associated with public closely and it is time to show commitment to uphold professional codes of conduct and ethics. As we know an agitations by the farmers has been going on for the last many months and many have unfortunately succumbed to weather and stress.
 
They are struggling to save their farms. Agriculture plays a vital role in the Indian economy. Over 70% percent of the rural households depend on agriculture and it provides employment to over 60% of the population.
 
Leaving a aside political affiliations, it is IMA’s moral responsibility to associate  with this agitation purely to monitor, farmers’ physical and mental health. The medical treatment is the basic requirement for the front line fighters, our farmers in the chilling weather. We appeal to the IMA to consider this proposal nationwide and extend support to the agitation by the recruiting medical volunteers for medical camps at Singhu, Tikri, Ghazipur and other borders. 
 
IMA has always been at the forefront to care for health of the people under different circumstances. Let us come forward to help over brothers, sisters and children and carry forward the traditions of Bhai Ghanaiya ji and Red Cross. 
 
We on behalf of the Indian Doctors for the Peace and Development (IDPD) have been organizing medical camps every Saturday and Sunday on Singhu and Tikri borders since the farmers have camped there. But an organized effort by the IMA in this regard will be a big boost.”

The signatories to the letter are as under: Dr Arun Mitra – Former Senior Vice President IMA Punjab, Dr G S Grewal – Former President Punjab Medical Council, Dr Gagandeep Singh – Senior Orthopedic Surgeon Ludhiana, Dr Balbir Shah – Former Prof. of Pathology DMC Ludhiana, Dr Balbir Singh – Former President IMA Patiala, Dr Param Saini – Clinical Psychologist Ludhiana, Dr Navdeep Khaira – Former Prof. & Head Deptt. of Nephrology DMC Ludhiana, Dr S K Prabhakar – Neuro Psychiatrist, Ludhiana, Dr Suraj Dhillon – Dental Surgeon, Ludhiana, Dr Paramveer Khaira  - Psychiatrist, Ludhiana, Dr Monika Dhawan – General Surgeon, Ludhiana and Dr Reena Sidhu – Retd. Civil Surgeon. /(January 15, 2021)