Mysuru: The doctors and staff of private Hospitals and Nursing Homes,  opposing the implementation of the Karnataka Private Medical Establishment (Amendments) Bill, have organised ‘Belagavi Chalo’ programme on Nov.12.

Speaking to Star of Mysore this morning, Dr. M.S. Vishweshwara, President, Indian Medical Association (IMA), Mysuru Chapter, said: “Nearly 250 to 300 representatives of IMA from Mysuru will leave for Belagavi on Nov.12 and stage a protest while the Belagavi Assembly Session is   in progress.”

He said that if in the Session, the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (Amendment) Bill-2017 is passed, despite the protest, then they will have no choice but to give up the profession and this warning has been sent to the Government.

Dr. Vishweshwara said that they are holding a meeting this evening at 4 at the IMA office to discuss about the modalities of participating in the protest in Belagavi and they will follow the directions of the State IMA.

Meanwhile, reacting to the news in a section of the media that health services will be affected from Nov.12, Dr. Vishweshwara denied that the health services would be affected.

“Only a few doctors and staff from each establishment will participate in the strike. Hence, neither the full health services will be affected nor the patients sent home.”

The amendment to the KPME Bill is likely to be placed on the last day of the Assembly Session on Nov.22.

Until then, a serial fasting will be held beginning from Nov.14, said State IMA President Dr. H.N. Ravindra.

As a last ditch effort, the IMA office-bearers will meet Chief Minister Siddharamaiah and Health Minister K.R. Ramesh Kumar and try to hold discussions with them, he said.

“What the doctors are opposing is not the complete KPME Bill but a few of the amendments that the Government wants to introduce. However, Ramesh Kumar is trying to project that the doctors are opposing the entire Bill,” he said expressing his displeasure.

The IMA has been submitting memorandum regarding the amendments since the last nine months. But due to the adamant attitude of the Health Minister, the doctors are forced to resort to strike, he said.

It is the small and medium size hospitals, which are providing treatment to patients without any facilities from the Government.

The doctors themselves are the owners in nearly  80 percent of the hospitals.” However, how right it is for Government to regulate and fix the treatment fees for different services?”questioned Dr. Ravindra.