FAIMA said large sums were collected from members for nominations but several key positions were filled unopposed without any elections.
Published Sep 02, 2024 | 12:00 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 02, 2024 | 12:00 PM
The Indian Medical Association (IMA), the largest and oldest association of doctors in the country, is facing allegations of irregularities and potential corruption that could jeopardize the organization’s integrity.
Recently, the IMA elected its current honorary general secretary as the 2025-26 term president.
On Sunday, 1 September, the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) wrote to the IMA’s Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), raising concerns about electoral integrity and allegations of corruption within the association.
In its letter, FAIMA said large sums of money were collected from members for nominations. However, several key positions were filled unopposed, without any elections being conducted.
“As the Chief Election Commissioner, we urge you to investigate these matters thoroughly and take immediate action to rectify any irregularities. Additionally, we believe it is imperative to reconsider Dr Ketan Desai’s role as chief patron to preserve the integrity of the IMA,” FAIMA stated.
FAIMA president Dr Rohan Krishnan claimed that the IMA charged over ₹1 lakh (non-refundable) for nominations but declared results without conducting an actual election.
“We are not going to let a few corrupt individuals run the IMA. It is high time that all Past National Presidents and National Secretaries of the IMA united and spoke out against the corrupt practices in the organization,” he said.
We are not going to let a few corrupt people to run #IMAHQs
All the Past National Presidents, National Secretaries of @IMAIndiaOrg it’s high time that we all unite and speak against the corrupt people in #IMA.
These sellers of doctors’ rights should not and will not be spared.
An… https://t.co/POnx2jWtOj pic.twitter.com/zaTZANPz4i
— Dr. Rohan Krishnan (@DrRohanKrishna3) September 1, 2024
FAIMA called for an immediate investigation into these allegations and urged the IMA CEC to initiate prompt action to address any irregularities.
“The Indian Medical Association has long been a symbol of ethical conduct and professionalism within the medical community. We must maintain the highest standards of transparency and democracy within our organization to retain the trust and confidence of our members,” the letter stated.
Responding to the letter, IMA’s national president Dr RV Asokan said, “This is an election dispute, and there is a redressal mechanism within the IMA itself, and an aggrieved member can file a complaint. It will be dealt with according to the rules and bylaws of the IMA.”
“FAIMA is a separate organization addressing the issues of resident doctors. They have their own rules and elections. We are not affiliated. They are an independent body, though some resident doctors might have become IMA members. As such, they govern themselves and have nothing to do with the IMA,” he added.
Earlier, Dr Sandip Ghosh, former principal of Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College, was suspended from the IMA. His membership was suspended on 22 August amid a CBI probe against him.
The IMA stated in an order that a committee constituted by the IMA National President, Dr Asokan, suo motu considered the rape and murder case of the postgraduate resident doctor and the subsequent developments at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
The action was taken a day after Akhtar Ali, former deputy superintendent at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, filed a complaint against Dr Ghosh in the Calcutta High Court on 21 August, alleging various scams.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
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