Mysuru: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) State Unit President Dr. H.N. Ravindra lambasted Health Minister Ramesh Kumar for levelling corruption charges against him and comparing doctors to ‘pick-pockets’ and ‘barbers.’

“Doctors attached to the IMA will quit their profession if the Minister continues to speak disrespectfully about doctors and the State Government doesn’t drop the process of amending the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (KPME) Act,” he said. Ravindra, who is also a Congress party leader, told reporters at Pathrakarthara Bhavan here yesterday that the Minister had no right to call him corrupt.

“The Minister has been making statements which are in bad taste. He is an intellectual and honest man and even though I am not bothered about his allegations against me, I take offence to him defaming the medical fraternity by comparing doctors to pick-pockets and barbers,” the IMA Chief said.

“He is not only insulting the medical profession but he is also insulting barbers. There are a few black sheep in the medical fraternity but generalising all doctors is unfair. Ramesh Kumar doesn’t deserve to be a Minister. If CM Siddharamaiah doesn’t remove him, 80 per cent of the doctors in the State will quit the profession,” he said.

On the plans of the Government to amend the KPME Act 2007, Ravindra said that doctors have to perform their duties under constant fear and threat. “Doctors will be scared to serve if the Government says they will be imprisoned if patients are unhappy. It is harsh and unreasonable. Doctors cannot be treated as criminals. It shows double standards,” he observed.

Some people have a perception that doctors are rich and they roam in luxurious cars, he said, adding that these people don’t know that doctors are paying EMI for these cars, Dr. Ravindra added.