SUBHASH MISHRA
Ranchi, May 17: The Indian Medical Association (IMA), Jharkhand, has demanded keeping health services free from the Goods and Services Tax (GST) limit.
IMA state secretary Dr Pradip Kumar Singh said that GST on health services is like a tax on disease. As tax on patient’s disease is illegal and unethical, GST on health services is also like that.
“So, the IMA has asked the government to keep health services free from GST limit for smooth running of health service as ultimately burden falls on patients,” said Dr Pradip Singh.
As per the IMA, GST on membership of IMA (organization), services, and holding scientific sessions for sharing experience on advanced medical techniques should be exempted for streamlining health services and in the interest of patients.
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Plea to reduce GST on medicines
The IMA has also requested reducing GST on medicines, life-saving necessary equipment, oxygen, laboratory tests, and health insurance. At present, there are 21% to 28 % GST on these items. “We request the government to reduce the GST on these times for improvement of the health sector,” said Dr Singh.
PCPNDT Act
The medicos’ body has also demanded amendment in the PCPNDT Act to make it practical and effective. It has asked the government to make the civil surgeon of the district its controlling authority again so that the purchase of the ultrasound machine, its handling, registration and inspection can be done on time.
At present, a nodal officer has been made in each district to monitor the PC PNDT Act.
The IMA has also demanded the lifting of the ban on radiologists. At present, a radiologist can provide his service only at two ultrasound centres.
Restriction on radiologists
Dr Pradip Kumar Singh said since the state is reeling from a shortage of radiologists checking illegal practice of gender tests has become tough. At some centres, technicians run ultrasound machines. “So two ultrasound centres’ limit on radiologists should be removed,” said the IMA secretary.