British Medical Association plans collaboration with India

Patna -- The British Medical Association (BMA) plans collaboration with the Indian Medical Association (IMA) to exchange scientific knowhow and to provide more opportunities for medical graduates to train in Britain.

BMA president Praveen J. Kumar, who was here Friday to attend the 81st national conference of the IMA, said: "I had a fruitful discussion with the new IMA president Ajay Kumar and he was eager for a close and active collaboration with the BMA."

"The move will benefit millions of people, particularly the poor, who still fails to afford costly treatment," Kumar told IANS.

Born in India, Kumar is a professor at Barts, Royal London and the Homerton Hospitals. She is not only the first Indian origin woman but also the first Asian origin woman who has taken over as president of the BMA this year.

"The BMA is looking for a close collaboration with India to establish scholarship or sponsorship for young medical graduates to come for training in Britain," she said.

She said that under the scholarship or sponsorship, the BMA would try to facilitate training for them in Britain. After the completion of training they can return to India to help the people, particularly the poor.

Another likely field of collaboration will be in the publication of medical journals.

The BMA would try to reduce the price and fee for Indian medicos to avail of the British Medical Journal and clinical evidence journals.

She expressed hope that India's medical science would rule the roost in the world in next two to three decades. "I strongly feel that 20 to 30 years down the line India will be the leader of the world in medical sciences," she said.

The BMA was founded in 1832 as an association for doctors in Britain. Its main aim is to promote the science of medicine. It has a membership of 139,000 doctors in Britain and outside.