(a) whether it is a fact that doctors have taken strong objection to the alleged negative portrayal of private doctors and health services in NCERT''s social science textbook for Class VII students;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has received complaints from many corners in this regard; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)
(a) & (b) The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has mainly objected to the following content on page 26 in the Chapter 2, “Role of the Government in Health”, of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) Social Science Textbook for Class VII, Social and Political Life-II under sub-heading “Healthcare and equality”, which was published in February, 2007 and has been in circulation since the academic session of 2007-08:
“In order to earn more money, these private services encourage practices that are incorrect. At times cheaper methods, though available, are not used. For example, it is common to find doctors prescribing unnecessary medicines, injections or saline bottles when tablets or simple medicines can suffice.”
It has also objected to the content on ‘The cost of a cure’ on pages 22-23, which indicates the difference in the cost of treatment in private and Government hospitals.
(c) & (d) Complaints have been received from the office bearers of the IMA and some of its State branches. These complaints have been forwarded to NCERT for taking appropriate action.
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