Doctors strike: Private hospitals in Karnataka to be shut today

Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called for a shutdown of private hospitals across Karnataka on Friday demanding the State government to withdraw the proposed amendment to The Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Act 2007.

As part of the agitation more than 50,000 Private hospitals, Nursing Homes, Diagnostic Centers and clinics in Karnataka will remain closed on November 3.

The strike called by the Karnataka chapter of the IMA will affect all private outpatient medical facilities in Karnataka from 6 am to 6 pm. Only emergency and trauma cases will be attended.

A delegation of doctors will be meeting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at his official residence on November 2 to discuss their grievances. It is unclear how many hospitals and clinics will participate in the strike, and if the government will invoke Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) if patients are turned away.

The Karnataka Government proposes to bring an amendment to the Act to fix fees to be charged by Private Hospitals and for treatment provided to various diseases and has included a clause to penalise those violating the new rules.

The redrafted bill is all set to be tabled in the winter session of the legislature that is scheduled to begin from November 13.

Meanwhile, the doctors association said that the agitation will be intensified including launch of indefinite closure of hospitals and including Doctors job after giving some time for the government to concede the demand.

OneIndia News