The standoff between the state government and private doctors in Karnataka continues to escalate, with the management of private hospitals announcing an indefinite strike starting Thursday, 16 November.
With the state government and private doctors refusing to come to a consensus on the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Act 2007, Karnataka is moving towards a severe healthcare crisis.
Taking note of the crisis while hearing a PIL on the same, Karnataka High Court requested private doctors to call off their strike. While no judgement was given on the PIL, the High Court asked the doctors to hold talks with the government and come to a consensus.
Stating that they have a duty towards the society, the High Court pointed out that the government is open for talks and the Bill has not even been tabled yet. The hearing in the case has been posted for Friday, 17 November, and the High Court urged the doctors and the government to find a solution by Thursday evening.
The Second Strike
This is the second strike called by private hospitals that are miffed by the government’s refusal to accept their demand of repealing two provision of the proposed Act which allows the government to cap the prices of medical treatment and setting up a complaint redressal committee.
Unlike the strike called the first time, where outpatient services at private hospitals and clinics were closed for a day, this time the facilities have been shut down indefinitely.
Despite this, the government is standing its ground. Although it agreed to meet the doctors, the government has not agreed to repeal the controversial parts of the Act.
As a result of the standoff, patients across the state have been left stranded. Senior bureaucrats said that instructions have been given to all government hospitals to prepare for the increase in patients.
Treating Us Like Thieves Is Unacceptable: Doctors
In order to add pressure on the government, several prominent doctors in the city held a protest in Bengaluru on Thursday. 16 November. Speaking at the event, Padma Bhushan awardee Dr Devi Shetty said that the Bill was an attack on the integrity of doctors.
“Treating us like thieves is unacceptable. The government has challenged the prestige and honour of the profession of medicine. This is the reasons why all the private doctors in the state have come together; it has never happened in the history of the country. The government has a perception that they should do something for the poor, but we have been part of this industry and we know it is not going to work,” said Dr Shetty, chairman and founder of Narayana Health.
Emergency Services Still Operational
Dr H Sudarshan Ballal, chairman of Manipal Hospitals, clarified that emergency and essential medical services will be available at the hospital. “We hope that there is a peaceful resolution to the protest. Any loss of life is regrettable, so we have kept our emergency services, dialysis, cancer therapy, and other essential services operational. Considering, that government hospitals are operational, there is access to healthcare,” he said.
We Are Ready to Talk: Chief Minister
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah tweeted that he opposes the protest.
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