IMA National

History of the National Indian Medical Association.

IMA Its Origin, Role and Prospects. !
By Dr M.Suryanarayanan (From Various Sources)

TODAY, I.M.A is a well established organization with is Headquarters at Delhi and State/Terr. Branches in 23 States and 9 union Territories. It has over 78000 doctors as its members through over 1700 local branches spread all over the country.

HOW THE I.M.A. Functions:

The general control management and direction of the policy of the Association is vested in the ‘Central Council’ to which local branches send representatives and which meets once a year to lay down policies. It delegates its powers to ‘WORKING COMMITTEEE’ (A representatives body of all state Terr. Branches) for implementation of programmes and activities (but without powers to change the rules). This committee meets at least three times a year to execute various activities for welfare of members and the people in matters of health.

Total No. of Branches:29 (State and Territorial)
Total no of Local Branches: 1700
Total no. Of Members  :2,51,880. as on  March 23 rd, 2016
Life members : 205816 + Couple :6064 –as on 31.01.2018

Now the elections in all levels  are completed by December  end every  year.

 The Medical Practitioners of India had for a long time felt the need of the Association which would protect their interests as also the future of Medical and Health care delivery in this country. Two conferences of Medical Men were held - one at Bombay and the other at Calcutta in the 19th century. These were more or less of academic in nature and were predominated by the official influence. Reliable and documentary evidence of these conferences is not available now. For the Sake of History it must be mentioned that the name, Indian Medical Association was used originally by an all India body of Medical Men in 1895. It had its Head Quarters t at Calcutta and Rai Bhagadur Dr. Lal Madhab Mukerji was its President and Dr. J.R Wallace as its Secretary. It published its official organ Indian Medical Records. In the Second decade of 20th Century there was a growing urge among the members of the independent medical profession to free themselves from the stranglehold of the alien domination under which the profession was groaning since the early days of the British Rule. In India as a result of the hybrid system of medical education and watertight compartmental division of medical services and the inherent difficulty of a subject , people has to promote medical science conducive to national welfare. This urge manifested itself in the first systemic attempt to organize an All India Medical Conference which was held at the initiative of the new defunct Bengal Medical Association in the year 1917 at the Carmichael (later R.G.Kar) Medical College, Calcutta. Lt. Col. Rhagavendra Rao presided and Sri.Nilratan Sircar was the Chairman of the Reception Committee Sir Nilratan aptly described objects of the Conference as i) To examine closely some of the important facts of the articulation of the structure of our profession with the society, ii) to examine also the minor anatomy of the organization of our profession, in order to detect whether its condition is normal or pathological, from neoplasm to microbes within or mechanical pressure from without, iii) to formulate ways and means for its healthy unimpeded recovery, growth and progress towards noble ideas, and iv) to determine the forces that cohere its different units and thus help to focus. The scattered energies of its units towards a common object.

The 2nd All India Conference was held in Delhi in 1918, the third at Amritsar in 1919 and the fourth at Nagpur.

Birth of the Indian Medical Association

The fourth conference was followed by a period of torpor for eight years but this interval was really a period of preparation. The medical profession began to cherish and cultivate a new and burning faith in them and in their own leaders to guide them in future. Political developments in the 3rd decade of this century particularly the historic decision of the General Medical Council of the United Kingdom on recognition of certain Medical Degrees conferred by Indian Universities on a flimsy pretext, the report of the Committee presided over by Sir Walter Fletcher on the organization of Medical Research in India and the Government’s proposal to create a more or less official controlled All India Medical Council brought this feeling to a climax. A meeting of the members of the medical profession was held in 30th July, 1928 under the auspices of Bengal Medical Association. Dr Sundri Mohandas Presided. There was a great deal of discussion regarding various matters affecting the medical profession including the bill for the amendment of the Bengal Medical Act, 1914. An All India Medical Conference was Organised in 1917 at CAR MICHAEL Medical College at Calcutta The 2nd all India Medical Conference was held in Delhi 1n1918. It was later in meeting dated 30th August, 1928 that a decision was taken to hold the 5th All India Conference at the National Medical Institute, Calcutta, during the Christmas week of 1928. In a statement to the Newspapers issued by several leading medical men on the eve of this Conference, it was declared by a resolution to form All India Medical Association. A journal was also started. The IMA started its march with a membership of only 222 members.

Objects

IMA is a voluntary Organization registered under India Societies Act,1860, with clearly defined following objects as laid down in the articles of the Memorandum of the Association

• To promote, advance Medical and Allied Sciences in all their different Branches and to promote improvement of Public Health and Medical Education in India

• To maintain the honour and dignity and to uphold the interests of the medical profession and to promote the co-operation among the members there off , and

• To work for the abolition of the compartmentalization in Medical Education, Medical Services and registration in the country and thus to achieve equality among the members of the profession.

“The proposals (of the then Government of India), if carried out will affect every individual man in India to a serious extent. The Central Government will have absolutely administrative control over medical education, medical ethics and other matters vitally affecting the medical profession. There will be also shortly considerable political readjustments which will be about radical changes in the administration of the country. The medical and public health departments and the medical health services in India will be affected and brought under popular control. The public will have to consider the medical and sanitary needs of the country and it becomes necessary for the medical profession in India to organise itself so that it may be in a position to help in the solution of the various problems and direct the change along the right and effective channels”.

“The Medical profession on account of its condition is unable at the present moment to exert that influence which is the duty and its privilege to exercise. It has its duties towards the profession as well as towards the public and it must take its rightful place in shaping public opinion and guiding it in the administration in a manner to that enjoyed by the medical profession of other counties.”

The urgent necessity of organizing the profession was so keenly felt as this conference that the following resolution was moved from the chair and passed unanimously on 28th December, 1928.

“ Resolved that an All India Medical Association be formed with the object of looking after the interest of the medical education, public health and medical profession in India and that this body be duly registered under Act 21 of 1860 ”.

The Provincial branches be formed in every province with branches in districts and other important centers

That a Committee be appointed to settle the details of the constitution etc, and to take the necessary preliminary actions, regarding organization, registration, etc.

A provisional Committee is formed.
Five members to form a quorum
That the Head Office of the All India Medical Association be located in Calcutta for the first five years.
That the next annual meeting of the Conference be held at a place to be decided later on.
That the Association will have its own journal. ”.
This led to the formation of an organization – the “All India Medical Association”, which aimed at the representing the entire medical profession of India. This was a new voice heard for the first time in the history of scientific medicine in our country and this voice raised the hope in a thousand hearts that if only the medical men of India could unite and organize, speak and act in a common platform, there was possibility of equaling or even excelling the British, American and even other medical associations.

Leading members of the local medical clubs and societies at Calcutta, Bombay, Madras, Patna, Delhi and other Cities in India took an active part in the formation of an All India Organization.

In 1930 the All India Medical Association was renamed as, “Indian Medical Association”. Since the All India Medical Conference has usually been held in the month of December , the Association year however begins in the first of October, every year. After having agreed on forming the all India body it was but necessary to frame its constitution. It was drawn on broadest democratic principles which have been modified from time to time.

National Headquarters

The National Headquarter of the IMA is situated at New Delhi, and its Journal Office functions from Calcutta. For Housing the headquarters of the Association, a six storeyed building has been constructed at Indraprastha Marg, New Delhi and a Building of IMA housing the J.I.M.A has also been constructed at 53. Creek Row, Calcutta.

President IMA and three vice-presidents are elected by all the members of association, while the Electoral College for the other offices is the Central Council. Similar situation prevails at the State level, under the Jurisdiction of the State Branches the local branches are established which functions autonomously within the frame work of the IMA constitution.

Over 100 local/state branches have their own buildings where provision of stay fom members is possible. For these who fulfill the membership qualification, to become a member of IMA, the prescribed from in triplicate be filled & given to the nearest branch along with requisite membership fees.

For any more information, please contact:
The Honorary General Secretary,
Indian Medical Association,
I.M.A. House, Indraprastha Marg,
New Delhi.
or
State Secretary in your State
or
Local Branch Secretary in your Town.

Relations with international bodies

Prior to the formation of IMA the British Medical Association had established its branches in India and now it became imperative that the situation should change. It reached an agreement with the British Medical Association, that they will have no branch in India and got mutually affiliated which relationship continues till date. In the year 1948. IMA helped organizing the world body, namely the World Medical Association and thus become its founder member. As an organization it has been and continues to play an important role in its deliberations. It hosted the world medical Education Conference under joint auspices of WMA and IMA in New Delhi in the year 1966. IMA has been represented on its executive council by Dr Dr.S.P.Sen, Dr A.P.Mithra and Dr. D.S Mehra. Dr.A... K. N.Sinha, one of its past presidents has been elected as president of the world body and took charge of his office in 1983 at the 35th World Medical Conference at Venice (in Italy).

Besides this it is a member of the Commonwealth Medical Association and is proud to have one of its illustrious past president Dr.A.K.N.Sinha, as president of CMA in 1976-79 It hosted the biennial meeting of the CMA’s Executive council in Delhi in December 1976 as well as organized Commonwealth Scientific meet in 1968. We are also proud of the fact that the first ever fellowship of this world organization was conferred on one of our past illustrious President Dr P.C.Bhatla . IMA is a member of WONCA. The 3rd World Medical conference on general practice was hosted by IMA in 1968

Mutually affiliated to the BMA
Founder member of the world Medical Association
Member of the Commonwealth Medical Association
Member of the WONCAA( World organizations of National Colleges, Academics , and Academic
Association of General practitioners & Family Physicians
South Asian Medical Association
Confederation of Medical Association in Asia & ………….

Structure and Functioning

The IMA has established glorious traditions and secured a place of pride in the comity of international medical organizations during the years. It has grown as dynamic pulsating body. Its function at home has been equally remarkable. . Over these 86 years it has grown into a dynamic pulsating body comprising 1,0,931of members through 1361 local branches and managed by 35 State and Territorial Branches and many direct members. The Association has several direct members attached directly to the Head Quarters Besides there is a category of overseas members open to those of our Indian collogues who have either temporarily gone abroad for study and employment or permanently settled there. These members are kept in touch with affairs at home with IMA News and JIMA- the official publication of IMA

Day to day work

At Head quarters as per the policies, directions and supervision of Central Council which meets 3 times a year and guidance of the working committee which also meets thrice a year. It is represented from all states and deliberates over the current issues. .
Particular problems are studied by the expert committees, on the subject prior to the consideration of the working committee. There is 15 such standing committees are there. The continuity of these standing committees is maintained by electing 1/3 members every year. The retiring members are eligible for re-election. Definite terms of reference are laid down for these committees.

Membership

Of IMA is open to all the practitioners qualified in modern scientific medicine and registered under Medical Council of India Act. An application for membership of the Association is made to the Honorary General Secretary through one of the local branches and the local branch, after satisfying itself, forwards the application, to the State Branch for onward submission to the Headquarters office which finally accepts it as per the rules. The association has members attached to the Headquarters. Besides there is category of overseas members open to those of Indian colleagues who have either temporarily gone abroad, or permanently settled here. These members are kept in touch with a affairs at home , through IMA News and JIMA – the official publication of IMA,

Every branch holds regular scientific and medical meetings frequently and elects its office bearers once a year. Every State Branch has got a state council on which the local branches under its jurisdiction have representation. These State Councils and its working committees meet as often as necessary to transact business concerning the various problems facing them. All State Branches organize their State Conference every year during which, besides discussing organizational matters, they hold scientific sessions for the benefit of their members from different areas.

All local branches have representations on the central council of the IMA, which necessarily must meet at least twice a year to take stock of the working during the year, lay down policies for the ensuing year, adopt the accounts, pass the budget for the next year and elect the office bearers of the Association at Head Quarters and its Journal Office and other publications at the Annual Meeting of the Central Council. The election of the high offices of the President and three vice presidents is held by ballot through the local branches. This election is complete by the end of September. The elected team takes charge of the office on the conclusion of the Annual meeting of the Central Council and are installed in office ceremonially at the inauguration of the Annual conference of the Association which was held at the 28th December every year, the birthday of the Association. It has been the privilege of the Local branches to invite the Conference a year in advance and all such invitations are considered by the Central Council and a decision taken.

The Association’s day to day working at the Head Quarters office is carried out as per the policies and the directive of the Central council under the supervision and guidance of the Working Committee which meets three times a year. The working Committee has representatives from all States and it deliberates over the current issues. Particular problems are studied by the expert committees on the subject prior to consideration of the working committee. There are 15 such committees. The continuity of these standing committees is maintained by electing one-third members every year. The retiring members are, however, eligible for re-election. Definite terms of reference are laid down for those committees.

The Association has a building of its own in New Delhi to House its Head Quarters and maintains a small Guest House for stay of members, who visit Delhi, from time to time for Association’s work or for their private business. It has become very popular and in great demand.

Some of our local branches and some State Branches in various parts of our country too have their own building and there is a growing feeling everywhere to have a house for the IMA because it helps in organizing the activities better. The IMA has a building at Calcutta which houses the Journal office. The New IMA House at Calcutta for Journal of Indian Medical Association was inaugurated on 19/04/1987.

The IMA observed the Centenary year (7th September 1892 to 7th September 1992) on 7th September 1992 in Calcutta in the Auditorium of NRS Medical College ,Calcutta.

Academic and Scientific Activities

The Association has established a college of General Practitioners to cater to continuing education of general practitioners through its State Faculties. The College is located in the building which houses the Headquarters of the Association. The college has been making attempts all along at mobilizing the general practitioners in the campaign for projecting the true image of family medicine /general practice. t is conducting regular examinations twice a year and the successful candidate is eligible for the fellowship
The IMA has established an IMA Academy of Medical Specialties and is organizing its State Chapters. Its activity has evinced keen interest in the specialists’ colleagues. It also awards fellowship , every year to the selected distinguished specialists. It also conducts the certificate course. In addition there is IMA women doctor’s Wing and IMA service doctors ‘wing

IMA AKN Sinha Institute of continuing Medical and health education and Research

IMA AKN Sinha institute of continuing medical education and research was established by a resolution of the Central Council of Indian Medical Association with the main objectives of imparting continuing Medical and Health Education and conducting research. It conducts continuing educations Porgramme / courseand research in domain of Medical education and Health education ; conducts distance learning courses, undertakes the research projects etc. and to print and publish books ,journals, audio, video cassettes and other materials. Day to day functioning of the Institute is looked after by the Honorary Director and Honorary Executive Secretary with the over all guidance of the President, General Secretary and working Committee.

Publications

The IMA publishes a scientific journal called “Journal of the Indian Medical Association” - fortnightly, a copy of which is mailed to each member regularly. Now it is published as monthly. The JIMA was first published as Indian Medical world in March 1930 at Calcutta and it appeared in 2 volumes. It is worthwhile to remember that the IMA Head Quarters and the Journal office were both located at Calcutta until the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of All India Medical Conference held in Calcutta in1948 when Head Quarters office was shifted to New Delhi. It also publishes Family Medicine –India. Annals of IMA Academy Besides, the IMA College has started a publication of a bulletin named “Continuing Medical Education,” - a bi-monthly bulletin-bi monthly . The College has published a series of books – which are widely acclaimed and are in great demand. The college continues this effort within its financial constraints. The IMA caters to the Health Education of lay public by publishing two monthly magazines viz., “Your health” in English and “Apna Swasthya”, in Hindi for the lay public –the former from Calcutta and the latter from Varanashi. IMA NEWS containing all important notifications of the IMA and the IMACGP and brief reports of the activities of the branches is published from the Head Quarters Office, New Delhi,
In additions several State and Local Branches for their part publish Bulletins Journals etc. regularly.
.
Representation on various bodies

The IMA is represented on various government and semi government bodies at the centre where it contributes its views, whenever called upon to do so and also render active co-operation within its preliminary frame work. The State Branches also are represented on similar bodies at the State level.

IMA has about 1700 local Branches and 30 local branches as on 2005 September.

Roll in planning and delivery of Health Care

Planning and delivery of the health care is normally in all countries is the function of the government of those countries. However in most countries for planning as well as for actual delivery the national medical organizations are consulted and their advice is considered very seriously. On points of differences between the governments and the national associations prolonged discussions are often taken before any final decision is taken. Of course the aim everywhere is that the interest of the public are to be considered supreme and every scheme is to be planned and executed in such a way that the maximum number of the people are benefited by and both the rich and poor and especially the privileged and the backward are served well. However at the same time the interests of the medical profession are forthcoming in the execution of such schemes.

In our country the national medical organization – the IMA- was not consulted very seriously. Even now though it is consulted in the sense that its representatives are kept in the committees for planning and its opinion is sought about the schemes but ultimately the government decides the things. Yet the medical profession feels that the views of the IMA have not been shown to respect and consideration which those of such an important national organization deserve.

So far the planning is concerned the IMA can play a very major role because it is this association which through its members gets in direct touch with the public for its medical and health needs and thus can appreciate their difficulties and are in fact familiar with them. .Execution of projects for health care, needs funds and obviously only the government can take care of that, though here and there some private organizations may be of some help. –as private hospitals run by trust or other organizations. Such help forms only a very small fraction of the total health care delivery. Thus the main role of the IMA has to be in the sphere of planning and especially in giving advice to the government. It can, of course, help further by ensuring the cooperation of the medical profession with the government agencies provided it feels that the government scheme is suitable and is for the benefit of the public and not harmful to the medical profession. There is another way in which the national association like the IMA can be very helpful and that is by educating the public on health problems through the general practitioners who form the first line of defense for the prevention of disease and the cure of illness and whose words are, therefore, respected by the public.

In the planning and the delivery of health care for the rural and urban masses, whether it is made by the government or the IMA, and in framing any scheme for prevention of diseases and catering medical relief to those who need it, the nature of our national health problems must be kept in mind. A country like ours with limited financial resources cannot go in for luxuries and we must lay our main stress on tackling the basic health problems of our country. Broadly speaking, they pertain to the following:
1. Communicable diseases
2. Malnutrition especially of children
3. Environmental hygiene like sanitation and water supply especially in rural areas,
4. Family planning: - population explosion is indirectly a very great or perhaps the greatest health problem. If the population goes on increasing, economic uplift of the masses will be impossible despite the best efforts of the government. If the economic condition does not improve, the diseases due to malnutrition, communicable diseases and those due to lack of environmental hygiene etc cannot be controlled effectively. So indirectly family planning becomes the biggest health- cum-social issue and quite reasonably the central government also lays so much stress on population control.
As the longevity of the people is increasing, degenerative disease like the heart disease and cancer, are also showing an upward trend but they cannot be treated, as yet as our national health problems. They are the greatest killers in affluent Western countries, where communicable diseases and malnutrition. etc., have been almost overcome and the toll they take of human lives is much lower than that from the diseases classified under our national health problems. One should not conclude from this that nothing should be done to tackle the incidence of cancer or heart disease in our country,

Organs of Indian Medical Association: The IMA publish 4 Journal two from Calcutta, 1 from Varanasi and another from Delhi The Journal of the IMA for all the members of the IMA throughout the country and was published first in March 1980 at Calcutta. As Indian Medical World soon after the Lahore session of the 6th All India Medical Conference it appeared in two volumes. With the change in the name of All India Medical Association to imply its relationship to the parent organization the change came into effect somewhere in September 1931.IMA headquarters and the Journal office were both located at Calcutta until the Silver jubilee sessions of All India Medical Conference held in Calcutta in 1948 when the Headquarters office was shifted to Delhi.
Your Health in English and Swasthya in Hindi are published from Calcutta and Varanasi respectively. IMA News containing all important notifications of the IMA and IMACGP and brief activities of the Branch activities is published from the Headquarters office at Delhi.

National Health policy

The IMA has been fighting for the cause of advancement of modern Medicine and extension of Scientific health care facilities to all parts of the country and to all sections of the people. Both during the struggle for independence and after attainment of the same, the IMA leaders have expressed their anxiety for the Framing of a National Health policy so that the members could have a direction and a clear guidance for the promotion of health of their countrymen.
In 1983 the IMA had to observe an All India day to focus the attention of the National government on the need for declaring a National Health Policy without which the health care of the people of this vast country cannot be ensured nor can effective steps to be taken to construct the edifice of a health care system for millions of the poor and backward people of this land.
The constitution of our country enunciated in the Directive Principle of State Policy says that the state shall regard the rating of the level of the nutrition and standard of living of its people and the improvement of the public health as one of its primary duties. Subsequently in the First Five Year Plan the concept of positive health was accepted and it was agreed that health does not imply the negative idea of mere absence of disease but also the positive one of well being in which a harmonious development of physical and mental capacity of the individuals lead to the enjoyment of a richer and fuller life. It was also granted that health involved primarily application of medical science for the benefit of individual and society.
Since the many committees and commissions were constituted to devise the ways and means for building up a comprehensive health cares system for the country. But recommendation of these expert bodies were either partly implemented or not implemented at all because of the absence of National Health Policy. As a result the direction of the health care went wrong putting more emphasis on curative medicine and static health units. In spite of the establishment of a large number of Primary Health Centers and sub centers in many parts of the country the actual health care facilities remained far below the requirements and expectations of the people.
No appreciable dent has been made in providing health care facilities to the economically backward section of the population. The standard of public health and sanitation and the nutritional status of the large section of the people remains as poor as ever. About 70% are due to various communicable diseases.
So, in the opinion of IMA, in the absence of a pragmatic National Health policy this would clearly define the objectives and layouts suitable layouts and Porgramme for attaining them in phases. By asserting this IMA means to suggest that not only there was no worthwhile health plan or programmes of the Government at any time there was also no declared policy. The programmes and plans were not framed by those who never cared to consult the considered views of the medical profession nor had any objective appraisal of the real factors hindering the development of the health care services in the country. Instead of total health care different aspects of health were highlighted at different times, sometimes only one aspect being overzealously pursued to the exclusion or neglect of all others.(such as in the case of family planning , mass sterilization drive, etc.,)
The IMA has consistently tried to impress on the health authorities that the constraints being pointed out by the government are not the real ones which prevent the extension of health care facilities to wider section of the people. The chief deficiencies lie in the opinion of the IMA , in the future of government to adopt a National Health Policy keeping with the socio-economic conditions of the country and its reluctance to associate the national body of Medical profession and the people at all levels in making and implementations of health policies and programmes. Another reason for the failure of the existing health care system is the indecision on part of the government to determine the role of the modern scientific medicine and the extent to which it should be employed for the health care of the people.

Awards

To encourage the talent, community service and research, the IMA has instituted several awards

Benevolent Fund

The Association instituted a benevolent fund which helps members in distress. IMA has been able to full fill the role effectively for which it was established by the founding fathers. It has succeeded in creating a forum for united action by the members of the profession in the larger interests of the society and the profession. During this long period it has gained credibility with the government, public as well as members of the profession. People look upon it as a force and this one also increased its responsibility

Conferences

Organizes conferences national and international at abroad and at home, conferences, seminars, and conventions on subjects of topical interest from time to time.

Study Tours : Organizes study tours to the various parts of the world and thus gives the opportunity to its members to visit the medical institutions and hospitals in various countries, and to study the progress made by them in the delivery of the health care. These tours also provide opportunity to visit the sister organizations/associations and exchange greetings and to help and promote goodwill, community living ,team spirit, and touring various places of Interest in the various parts of the world.
IMA has potential to meet its obligation since it is a living dynamic pulsating organization and given the thrust, is capable of delivering the goods. The need of the hour is unity in the profession, dedicated workers, a regular stock taking and planning of stock taking to meet the situation.
IMA with its glorious origin and its long and eventful career has the potential strength to proceed steadily towards s brighter future. But that future depends on what we, the members are prepared, to do today. The profession today must uphold its dignity and pass on its noble image untarnished to the coming generation. This is again possible only, if we, the members take active interest in the functioning of our organization and strengthen in all its aspects.
The future of IMA is full of challenge. The IMA has become really a representative body of the entire profession (modern medicine) by bringing all eligible doctors into its fold for which concrete efforts are necessary. Besides advising the government on health and medical education in the country it has to make positive contribution towards family planning and prevention of communicable diseases and health education. Regarding the obligation to the members of the profession IMA has to try to improve the quality of life of the professional and para- professional people and help them in their day to day problems. It must also make a study of the newer problems arising out of changing patterns in the society and create a cell at all levels for career guidance to its members. The Continuing Medical Education programmes also need to be stream lined.

The profession today must uphold the dignity and pass on its noble image untarnished to the coming generation. This is again positive only if we, the members take active interest in the functioning of our organization and strengthen it in all aspects
Today, I.M.A. is a well established organization with it’s Headquarters at Delhi and State / Terr. Branches in 23 States and 9 Union Territories. It has over 1,78,000 doctors as its members including 9,000 life members through over 1700 local branches spread all over the country. IMA safeguards interest of its members and participates in all national health programmes

1. Some of the State Branches are also publishing their bulletins in English and/or Regional languages. IMA News is published monthly by the IMA Headquarters. Besides this, IMA College of General Practitioners has a publication named “Continuing Medical Education” Bulletin. With a view to make it more relevant to Family Medicine, the title of this Bulletin has been changed to “Family Medicine – India” from the year 1996. The College has published a number of books. It is hardening to note that most of the articles had been voluntarily subscribed by the members of the Association. The IMA Academy of Medical Specialties is now publishing the Annuals ,Quarterly, containing original articles, interesting case reports, review articles by eminent medical specialists and super specialists.

  • Over the period of 72 years, the IMA while maintaining its glorious traditions has secured a place of pride in the community, through its 1470 branches with a total membership of 120298 throughout the country. It has been rendering yeoman’s service in the field of health care deliver, disease control and eradication. Its services to the community during natural calamities like earthquakes, droughts and floods, famines and epidemics in the pre and post-Independence periods have been highly lauded. Its role and involvement in the formulation and implementation of National Health Programmes e.g. Family Welfare, Maternal and Child Health, Universal Immunization Programme, Oral Rehydration Therapy, AIDS Prevention, Control and Management etc., has been highly significant and has received recognition by the Central and state Governments and the UNICEF. The IMA and its branches have been running many community service Projects and a number of branches have established Family Welfare Clinics, Immunization Centres, Ambulance Services, Blood Banks, Polio Eradications and RCH programmes, etc.
  • IMA has been pursuing the academic activities and continuing education of its members through its academic wings viz., IMA College of General Practitioners (IMA CGP) and the IMA Academy of Medical Specialities (IMAAMS). Through the IMA CGP which is a Founder member of the World Organization of the National Colleges and Academies, (WONCA), third Conference on General Practice was hosted by the IMA in the year 1968. It is a matter of pride that the first ever Fellowship of the World Organization was conferred on one of our illustrious Past Presidents, Dr. P.C. Bhatia.

·  IMA College of General Practitioners has been conducting regular examinations twice a year and the successful candidates became eligible for the award of Fellowship.

·  The IMA AMS also awards Fellowships every year to selected highly distinguished specialists.

IMA IN RETROSPECT
 

  1. The Indian Medical Association celebrated its Diamond Jubilee in the year 1988 and is completing 72nd year of its glorious functioning on the occasion of the 76th All India Medical conference being held on the 28th December, 2000 at Calcutta.
  1. Prior to the formation of the Association, four All India Medical Conferences had been held the first at Calcutta in 1917 under the Presidentship of Lt. Col. Raghavendra Rao, the second at Delhi in 1918 with Sir Nil Ratan Sircar as the President, the third in 1919 with Dr. M.. N. Odedar as its President and the Fourth at Nagpur in 1920 under the Presidentship of Rao Bahadur Dr. Maharaj Krishnan Kapur. It was at the 5th conference held at Calcutta on 28th December, 1928 under the Presidentship of Dr. G. V. Deshmukh of Bombay, that a resolution was adopted forming an All India Medical Association with the objects of promotion and advancement of medical and allied sciences in their different branches, the improvement of public health and medical education in India and the maintenance of honor and dignity of the medical profession. In the year 1930, the All Indian Medical Association and the body was duly registered under the Societies Registration Act, XXI of 1860.
  2. The association had come in to being at a time when there was political unrest and the country was passing through big turmoil. Yet, it was a matter of great satisfaction that the stalwarts of the medical profession in those days like Dr. K. S. Ray, Sir Nil Ratan Sircar, Dr. B. C. Roy, Dr. M. A. Ansari, Col. Bhola Nath, Major M. G. Naidu, Dr. B.N. Vyas, Dr. D. Silva, Dr. N. A. Ghosh, Dr. D. A. Chakravarthi, Dr. Viswanathan, and Capt. B. V. Mukherjee actively participated in the promotion of the Association. Some of these stalwarts were also active in the Indian National Congress and had their terms in the jail for participating in the struggle for participating in the struggle for Independence of the country.
  3. Though the Association was formed with only 222 members. Yet even with this numerical strength, it could achieve itsposition of strength, it could achieve its position of strength and command respect from the British rulers. It could prevent the appointment of British rulers. It could prevent the appointment of British IMS Officer as a Commissioner of MedicalEducation in 1929 and it could achieve to organize an all India Medical Register and include the licentiates in it. TheMedical Council of India Act was got amended to have an elected President in place of a nominated one and it was a matter of a pride that Dr. B. C. Roy, one of the most illustrious past Presidents of IMA, became the first elected President of Medical Council of India followed by many other illustrious presidents of IMA gracing the exalted chair including the past president of the Medical Council of India Late Dr. A. K. N. Sinha.
  1. The Headquarters Office of the IMA was originally located in Calcutta. At the suggestion of Dr. S. C. Sen supported by Dr. B. V. Mulay, Dr. Chamanlal C. Mehta and Maj. General Amirchand, the IMA Headquarters was shifted to Delhi in January 1949, after the attainment of Independence. The Journal of IMA continued to be published from Calcutta. Dr. S. C. Sen also obtained a plot of land in Indraprastha Estate, New Delhi at the concessional rates from the Government and the project of construction of IMA Building thereon was undertaken, supported by Dr. B. V. Mulay, Dr. Chamanlal Mehta, Dr. C.S.Thakar, Dr.A.P.Mitra, Dr. Ved Prakash, Dr. R.C.Goulatia, Dr. P.C. Bhatia and Dr. D.S. Mehra. The foundation stone of IMA House was laid by the first President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad on September 19, 1958 and the construction of the building was started under the supervision of Dr. P.C.Bhatia who supervised it brick by brick. With his untiring efforts, the building was completed and opened on September 6, 1964 by the then President of India, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan.
  2. During the British Rule, some selected members of the profession were members of the British Medical Association which had branches in India. The stalwarts of IMA ultimately succeeded in reaching an agreement with British Medical Association that they would have no branches in India and got mutually affiliated, which relationship continues even today. In the year 1964, IMA helped in the organization of the world body viz., the World Medical Association and thus became its founder member through the efforts of Dr. S.C.Sen, Dr. R.V.Sathe, the then President, IMA held the chair of the President of WMA when the WMA met in New Delhi in 1962. It’s a matter of pride that another illustrious Past President of IMA Dr. A.K.N. Sinha also held the office of the WMA. The IMA has been playing an important role in the deliberations of the World Medical Association at New Delhi in the year 1966. later developments, however, forced us to take decision to withdraw from World Medical Association in 1985, since the organization refused to expel South Africa despite its dismal record of racial discrimination. The Indian Medical Association after consideration of all aspects of the matter decided in February, 1993 that IMA may again become a member of the World Medical Association. In pursuance of the above, 45th General Assembly of the World Medical Association at its meeting held on October 2-5, 1993 approved IMA’s membership of the WMA. The IMA has continued to play an important role in the affairs of the Commonwealth Medical Association.
  3. IMA has been pursuing the academic activities and continuing education of its members through its academic wings viz., IMA College of General Practitioners (IMA CGP) and the IMA Academy of Medical Specialities (IMAAMS). Through the IMA CGP which is a Founder member of the World Organization of the National Colleges and Academies, (WONCA), third Conference on General Practice was hosted by the IMA in the year 1968. It is a matter of pride that the first ever Fellowship of the World Organization was conferred on one of our illustrious Past Presidents, Dr. P.C. Bhatia.
  4. Over the period of 72 years, the IMA while maintaining its glorious traditions has secured a place of pride in the community, through its 1470 branches with a total membership of 120298 throughout the country. It has been rendering yeoman’s service in the field of health care deliver, disease control and eradication. Its services to the community during natural calamities like earthquakes, droughts and floods, famines and epidemics in the pre and post-Independence periods have been highly lauded. Its role and involvement in the formulation and implementation of National Health Programmes e.g. Family Welfare, Maternal and Child Health, Universal Immunization Programme, Oral Rehydration Therapy, AIDS Prevention, Control and Management etc., has been highly significant and has received recognition by the Central and state Governments and the UNICEF. The IMA and its branches have been running many community service Projects and a number of branches have established Family Welfare Clinics, Immunization Centres, Ambulance Services, Blood Banks, Polio Eradications and RCH programmes, etc.
  5. The affairs of the association are managed by the elected members of the Central Council and the Working Committee which lay down the policies and deliberate on the day to day activities of the Association. It has a number of Standing Committees which look after the specified subjects entrusted to them under the various terms of references. Each State and Local Branch holds regularly Scientific and Medical Meetings and elects its Office bearers once a year. The State Branches organize their respective state conferences every year during which, besides organizational matters, they have scientific sessions for the benefit of their members in the various specialities in medicine.
  6. Indian Medical Association publishes a Scientific Journal called ‘Journal of the Indian Medical Association’ a copy of which is mailed to each and every member of the Association. “Your Health” in English and “Aap Ka Swasthya” in Hindi are published regularly and cater to health education needs of the lay public. Some of the State Branches are also publishing their bulletins in English and/or Regional languages. IMA News is published monthly by the IMA Headquarters. Besides this, IMA College of General Practitioners has a publication named “Continuing Medical Education” Bulletin. With a view to make it more relevant to Family Medicine, the title of this Bulletin has been changed to “Family Medicine – India” from the year 1996. The College has published a number of books. It is hardening to note that most of the articles had been voluntarily subscribed by the members of the Association. The IMA Academy of Medical Specialities is now publishing the Annuals Quarterly, containing original articles, interesting case reports, review articles by eminent medical specialists and super specialists.
  7. IMA College of General Practitioners has been conducting regular examinations twice a year and the successful candidates became eligible for the award of Fellowship.
  8. The IMA AMS also awards Fellowships every year to selected highly distinguished specialists.

National IMA Awards - Click here

JIMA :  E-mail Contacts

Website:  < www.journalofima.org >
For Editorial  : < jima1930@redifmail.com >
For marketing :<  jaimamkt@gmail.com  >
For circulation : < jimacir@gmail.com >
General     : <  J_ima@vsnl.net >

For booking accommodation at IMA House ,IP Marg, New Delhi:
Please write to : < imabuilding@gmail.com