The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Tuesday moved the Gujarat High Court against the state government's decision to allow candidates from Bachelor of Science (Nursing), Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS), and General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM), to practice modern form of medicine after completing a bridge course of six months. The association also challenged the advertisement calling for applications for the the course from candidates having the aforesaid degrees. During the hearing of the petition in the single-judge bench of justice SH Vora, IMA pointed out to the court that allowing B.Sc (Nursing), BAMS, and GNM candidates, to practice the modern form of medicine just by going through a bridge course is in contravention of norms. The petitioner also pointed out that the state government has also relegated the work for carrying out such course to Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). IMA submitted to the court that as per the rules, only a MBBS degree holder can work as a medical officer in Gujarat Health Services. And, the bridge course is nothing but an indirect route to permit the individuals not holding a MBBS degree to practice modern form of medicine by naming the post as community health officer in rural areas, which cannot be permitted in the interest of public at large. However, as the representation of the association was pending before the state health department, the court did not intervene in the matter. Instead, justice Vora directed the health department to decide the representation of IMA pending before it and disposed the matter. STATE CHALLENGED The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Tuesday also challenged the advertisement calling for applications for the course from candidates having the aforesaid degrees

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