Guwahati: Ayush doctors and students of Assam, along with representatives from other states of the Northeast, took out a procession here on Sunday in support of the bridge course, suggested by the National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill, 2017.

The procession was organised under the initiative of the All Assam Homoeopathic Medical College Students' Union in association with the National Homoeopathic Medical Association, All Assam Homoeopathic Doctors' Association, All Assam Homoeopathic Medical Officers' Association and students union of all three homoeopathic medical colleges of Assam.

More than 500 doctors and students took part in the rally.

The bill, which seeks to replace the Medical Council of India with a new body, was referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee.

The organisation said they "unanimously" supported the proposed bridge course of the NMC bill. "We believe that the proposed bridge course will bridge the gap in the health care coverage across the country," said Eyasin Ikram Farazi, president of the union. The bill was a "remarkable" move to address the abysmal doctor-patient ratio in the country and ensure quality service, he added.

Farazi said the bill will help fill up vacant posts in many primary and community health centres in rural areas and thereby improving the healthcare services for the poor. "Yearly, around 150 doctors pass out from the homoeopathic colleges of Assam after completion of five-and-half-year course, including one year internship in medical colleges along with Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) students under the guidance of their professors and doctors," he said.

"If the bridge course comes into effect, Ayush doctors can contribute to improve the health scenario of the country," said Anichur Rahman, general secretary of the union.

The associations submitted a memorandum to the members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee who were present in the city.