Karnataka doctors' strike called-off, KPME Bill to be amended

Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association (PHANA), which represents 327 private hospitals in Bengaluru, on Thursday called off strike over the KPME Bill.

The doctors' strike in Karnataka over the KPME Bill was called-off on Friday after the stakeholders met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Siddaramaiah met the Indian Medical Association (IMA) representative, private medical establishments and other key stakeholders earlier today at Suvarna Soudha in Belgaum.

Certain changes are likely to be made in the KPME Bill after which it would be tabled before the state assembly on Monday.

The imprisonment clause which recommended jail term for doctors erring in the diagnosis would be amended. In its place, a fine would be recommended for the wrong diagnosis.

Price cap would only be applicable for select procedures and body to decide price caps would have to be set up. The price cap would be applicable to only BPL card holders and those covered under the government insurance.

On Thursday, the Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association (PHANA), which represents 327 private hospitals in Bengaluru, on Thursday called off strike over the KPME Bill.

Doctors have been protesting against the Siddaramaiah government's attempt to table the bill, that includes price regulation for procedures at private hospitals and punishment including imprisonment for wrong treatment against doctors. Doctors have alleged that the bill is an election gimmick by the government. Talks between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and representatives of protesting doctors failed to yield any results on Tuesday.

OneIndia News