Government to consult political parties on health bill

NEW DELHI: The government promised to consult all parties on a crucial legislation that seeks to create an overarching body for health institutions in the country, paving way for passage of Medical Council Bill in the Rajya Sabha.

The Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill (2012) was passed by voice vote but not before key UPA constituent Trinamool Congress sought to embarrass the government by criticising the legislation in the Upper House.

Replying to the debate on the bill, already passed by Lok Sabha, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said the government was inclined to bring at the earliest a bill to create National Commission for Human Resources for Health (NCHRH), which will subsume autonomous institutions like Medical Council, Dental Council and Nursing Council of India.

"Before I bring the overarching (NCHRH) bill, we will hold consultations with all political parties to arrive at a consensus....We will have threadbare discussions with all parties," he said.

Seeking the support of the House to the amendment to Indian Medical Council Act, Azad said he had to ask for the extension of tenure of MCI Board as he was left with no option because the report of Parliamentary Standing Committee on NCHRH bill is still awaited.

"This one year is outer limit. I am not going to ask further extension," he said, adding that as soon as the Standing Committee report comes, the NCHRH bill will be brought to the House.

"I am assured that the Standing Committee will submit its report in a month. We will come up with the NCHRH bill in the next session, whether it is Monsoon or Winter session," he said.