Rajan Sharma, President of the Indian Medical Association, the apex body of private practitioners in India, has informed that the association had proposed voluntary services of its three lakh members across the country to assist in the Covid-19 vaccination programme of the government. "It's a voluntary service to the nation, and none of our members would charge a single penny for their labour," he stated. Sharma added that the organisation is ready and 1,750 local branches spread in almost every district of the country are well equipped.
"Our presence is everywhere, even in the remote and hilly areas as well," he said. He adds, "An effective top to down command and control is in place with 28 state branches. Most of the members have a small team of nurses for their professional practice. A large number of small and medium hospitals and nursing homes in sub-district towns are run by IMA members. Such practitioners are available even in remote, hilly districts and areas not easily accessible". IMA are already experienced which an additional factor to involve them in the vaccination drive.
"Many of them have taken part in the Pulse Polio and many such government welfare programs of immunisation. I'm sure they will be of great help," he added. The cold storage factor for the vaccine expects the services by IMA. This also increase the number of outlets available for the people, Sharma said. Serum Institute of India (SII), which signed a deal with Oxford-Astrazeneca for manufacturing their vaccine, has finished enrolment for Phase-III Covishield vaccine, supported by the ICMR and has already manufactured 40 million doses of the vaccine, under the at-risk manufacturing and stockpiling license from Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI). 4 other candidates also involved in trials in India.
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