Ludhiana: New Leadership Team for IMA Focuses on Healthcare Priorities
Election Results and Leadership Roles
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) Ludhiana has appointed a new leadership team aimed at addressing key healthcare priorities. Dr. Avtar S. Kharay was elected as president-elect for 2027 during a meeting held on Friday. In this session, Dr. Davinderjit Walia was elected as senior vice-president for 2026 without opposition, while Dr. Narjit Kaur also secured the vice-presidency for 2026 unopposed. Additionally, the Election Commission announced that Dr. Pawan Dhingra will serve as IMA Ludhiana’s president for the year 2026.
Collaborative Efforts for Improved Medical Services
The newly elected team is anticipated to work together to enhance medical services and tackle urgent challenges within the healthcare sector in the coming years.
Insights from Dr. Avtar S. Kharay
Dr. Avtar S. Kharay, an orthopaedic surgeon and owner of Kharay Hospital in Ludhiana, shared insights with Medical Dialogues regarding the election process, noting that it was conducted smoothly with all office bearers elected unopposed. He addressed several pressing issues, stating, “There are high instances of road rage, which shows that we, as a society, are becoming somewhat intolerant, and we see incidents of violence against doctors.”
He emphasized the need to rebuild the doctor-patient relationship, saying, “Previously, people had so much humility and gratitude when they encountered a doctor, but now it is getting lost. We need to build a proper relationship with the patients, and for this, we as a community should help each other and concentrate on our mental health. IMA is a community by the doctors for the doctors. We need to ensure the participation of doctors in the IMA.”
Community Engagement and Future Goals
Dr. Kharay highlighted the importance of community engagement, noting, “We have more than 1500 members, but we need to interact more. A strong community can serve society in a better way, and we can frame better ways to improve healthcare.”
Support from Current Leadership
Dr. Dheeraj Aggarwal, the current president of IMA Ludhiana, congratulated the new team and expressed confidence in their leadership. He addressed the challenges faced by modern doctors, stating, “The most pressing issue that the doctors are facing nowadays is the cases of violence against them; hence, ensuring the safety of doctors is of supreme importance.”
He also advocated for measures to prevent the practice of mixopathy and emphasized the need for improved communication to strengthen doctor-patient relationships.