NEW DELHI: Indian Medical Association (IMA) and Healthcare Federation of India (NATHEALTH) will join hands to develop Code of Ethics for the healthcare sector in the country. 

IMA and NATHEALTH today said they would soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard. 

Emphasising the need for a Code of Ethics, President of NATHEALTH, Shivinder Mohan Singh said, "Unethical behavior and business practices are always distressing and especially, in healthcare, as trust is integral to healing. It is imperative that we develop a nationally accepted, unified set of standard value-based practices that would guide the delivery of ethical healthcare services to patients." 

An MoU between IMA and NATHEALTH to develop a joint Code of Ethics would be able to support the government's aim of universal healthcare through strong self-regulation. 

A joint task-force is already working on the details, he added. 

Speaking on the occasion, Dr A Marthanda Pillai, President and Dr K K Aggarwal, Hony Secretary General, IMA said, "Self Code of Ethics is the need of the hour. Our partnership with an inclusive institution like NATHEALTH will help us to achieve the goal of 'Clean Medical World' in collaboration with leaders in the healthcare sector, not only in healthcare delivery but also in other sectors like medical technology providers, diagnostic services, health insurance, healthcare education, healthcare IT, healthcare publishers/communicators and other segments. 

"IMA will be able to sensitize its over 2.5 lakh members regarding this Code of Ethics," they added. 

Dr Prathap C Reddy, Founder President of NATHEALTH said the last few decades in India have witnessed a revolution in medicine driven by rapidly changing technology and increased access to diagnostic testing and medical care. 

"The Code of Ethics being developed jointly by NATHEALTH and IMA resonates with this valued goal and is in recognition of the need for self-regulation by all members of the healthcare ecosystem, he said.