Origins and Establishment
- Founding Date: The Ahmedabad Medical Association was established on March 24, 1902, initially under the name Ahmedabad Medical Society (AMS).
- Founder: Dr. (Lt. Col.) J.W.T. Anderson, a civil surgeon, served as the first president, with Dr. Joseph Benjamin as the honorary secretary.
- Inspiration: The formation of the AMS was inspired by a visit from Dr. S.K. Mallik, founder of the National Medical College in Calcutta, who emphasized the need for a professional organization to promote brotherhood, knowledge exchange, and the protection of doctors' rights.
- Early Roots: The organization traces its origins to the Gujarat Branch of the All India Sub-Assistant Surgeons' Association (GB-AISASA) and the Gujarat Branch of the All India Medical Licentiates' Association (GB-AIMLA), reflecting its early connections to medical professionals in the region.
Evolution and Growth
- Early Operations: The AMS began functioning in rented premises at the Himabhai Institute in Bhadra until 1922, when it relocated to the Prathana Samaj Mandir near Raikhad.
- Integration with IMA: In 1928, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) was formed as a national organization for doctors practicing modern scientific medicine. The AMS joined the IMA as one of its branches in 1939.
- Name Change: On June 14, 1977, the Ahmedabad Medical Society was officially renamed the Ahmedabad Medical Association (AMA) following a revision of its constitution.
- Membership Growth: The AMA has grown significantly, boasting the largest membership among medical associations in India. As of July 1, 2012, it had 7,000 members, and by September 24, 2023, this number had increased to 12,542.
Infrastructure Development
- AMA House: The foundation for the AMA's own building, known as AMA House, was laid in 1957 near the Mithakhali railway crossing off Ashram Road, Ahmedabad. The building was inaugurated on September 9, 1962, by the then Central Health Minister, Dr. Sushila Nair.
- Renovations: The AMA House underwent several renovations, with the most recent one completed in 2002–2003.
Legacy and Impact
- With over a century of service, the AMA is a pillar of medical excellence, advocacy, and community service in Gujarat.
- Many of its members have gone on to hold prestigious positions in academia, public health, and policymaking both nationally and internationally.
Key Initiatives and Activities
Ladies Wing
The AMA established a Ladies Club on February 12, 1966, inaugurated by IMA Honorary Secretary Dr. Bhatala, with Mrs. Chandraben Jayant Haribhakti as its first president.
Public Health Programs
The AMA has been actively involved in public health initiatives, including:
- The Aao Gaon Chale project, aimed at rural healthcare outreach, inspired by Dr. Ketan Desai.
- Organ donation awareness campaigns, including a major event attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
- Efforts toward a TB-free India by 2025, in alignment with government initiatives.
- Issuing guidelines for public events like Navratri Garba to promote health and safety.
Educational and Professional Activities
The AMA supports its members through:
- Scientific and academic programs, including sponsored lectures and awards.
- Monthly bulletins featuring medical, financial and social articles.
- Relief funds and community service projects like the President's Relief Fund for Natural Calamities, oxygen centers, immunization centers, and scholarships.
Community Engagement
The AMA organizes cultural and sports events, such as Garba nights and a Sports Olympics, to foster camaraderie among members.
Key Contributions
Medical Education & CME
AMA has been instrumental in promoting continuing medical education (CME) for doctors through regular lectures, workshops, and conferences.
Public Health Initiatives
It has actively participated in vaccination drives, awareness campaigns (such as tuberculosis, diabetes, and AIDS), and disaster relief (notably during the Gujarat Earthquake of 2001 and the COVID-19 pandemic).
Social Welfare & Camps
AMA organizes medical camps in rural areas, blood donation drives, and health check-ups for underserved populations.
Ethical Practice & Medico-legal Support
The association has served as a forum for maintaining professional ethics, and also assists doctors with medico-legal support.
Infrastructure
The AMA's premises in Ahmedabad include auditoriums, seminar halls, and a library used for medical education and professional interaction.
Recent Initiatives and Programs
Heart Beat CPR Training Movement (2023–24)
Partnered with the Indian Red Cross Society, AMA launched a large-scale initiative to train approximately 170,000 students (grades 9–12) in chest-compression-only CPR across ~410 schools.
Scientific CME on Knee Restoration Surgery (March 2023)
AMA hosted a detailed scientific program on "knee restoration surgery without implants" in collaboration with Restoknee Hospital.
Voting Awareness Drive (April 2024)
AMA encouraged democratic participation by distributing "voting awareness" stamps on prescription pads of ~100 physicians.
Helpline for COVID-19 Guidance (January 2022)
In response to rising COVID-19 cases, AMA set up a dedicated helpline, staffed by volunteer doctors from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Jan 17–31, 2022.
Issuing Garba Safety Guidelines (Navratri 2023)
Ahead of Navratri, AMA issued health advisories for participants and event organizers, emphasizing pre-screening for heart disease, crowd control, hydration, and onsite CPR-trained staff.
Joint "Heart to Heart" Care Dialogue (November 2023)
Collaboratively with the Indian Red Cross Society (Gujarat), AMA organized a public seminar featuring noted cardiologists like Dr. Tejas Patel and Dr. Sameer Dani. Over 400 attendees engaged in open dialogue on heart-health topics.
Ongoing CME & Screening Programs (2024)
AMA has hosted multiple Continuing Medical Education (CME) sessions, including updates on hematology, allergy algorithms, glaucoma screenings, and newborn defect awareness.
Medical Coverage During Holidays: "Doctor on Call" (since 2016)
AMA, in coordination with AFPA, publishes lists of available physicians during Diwali and New Year holidays, ensuring residents can access medical care even during festive breaks.
Prayer & Support During AI 171 Plane Crash (June 2025)
Following the tragic crash on June 12, which claimed lives of medical students and doctors, AMA co-organized a prayer meeting and actively volunteered at Civil Hospital to assist the injured.
Continuing Legacy
The AMA remains a cornerstone of the medical community in Ahmedabad, advocating for public healthcare, professional development, and community welfare. Its initiatives, such as organ donation drives, vaccination awareness, and disease prevention programs, underscore its commitment to societal health.
The association is headquartered at AMA House, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad, opposite H.K. Arts College, and continues to collaborate with the Gujarat government and city corporations on health initiatives.