Several doctors representing the Indian Medical Association are on a relay hunger strike
The Private Hospitals and nursing homes Association (PHANA) has called off the indefinite strike which had seen OPD services being affected severely in Bengaluru. The doctors were protesting against the proposed amendments to the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Act. Several private hospitals across the state too had joined the protest leading to trouble for patients.
After Karnataka High Court's request to the doctors to get back to work, the doctors have decided to resume work. The representatives of the PHANA along with representatives of Indian medical association will be meeting the Chief Minister on Friday.
"Our steering committee members will be meeting the CM tomorrow in Belagavi. We had kept the emergency and essential units functional, we will resume normal services," said Dr Jayanna, President elect of PHANA.
Earlier in the day hundreds of doctors protested in Bengaluru including big name like Dr Devi Shetty of Narayana health, Dr Sudarshan Ballal of Manipal Hospital who spoke against the Bill said amendments will harm their profession.
At the heart of the matter are 4 contentious amendments to the Karnataka Private Medical establishments act, 2007:
- Price cap for various surgeries and treatments
- Increasing penalty for unregistered establishments in the form of monetary penalty and even jail term.
- Patient's rights charter - Giving complete information about costs of various treatment and procedures, risks and benefits
- District grievance cell - to look into complaints including violations of patients rights.
With mounting agitation, the Chief Minister had reached out to the doctors earlier in the day. He tweeted -
"The KPME Act 2007 is already in force. Govt wants to amend the Act of 2007 to provide for a grievance redressal mechanism, price control & a patient's charter. The amendments are in public interest. However, we are also willing to address the concerns of doctors & hospitals"
Several doctors representing the Indian Medical Association are on a relay hunger strike infront of Suvarna Vidhan Soudha in Belagavi where the Karnataka Assembly session is going on.