Bengaluru: More than 15,000 doctors and healthcare professionals were up in arms against the proposed amendment of the Karnataka Medical Private Establishments Bill 2017, which will empower the government to regulate private medical services by fixing tariffs for various services and provide them the authority to punish and even imprison violators.
Participants from all over the state, representing various organisations, private hospitals, diagnostic centres and clinical establishments undertook a ‘Bengaluru Chalo’ campaign from City Central Railway Station to Freedom Park on Friday.
The protestors submitted a memorandum to the government demanding its immediate withdrawal.
Former Supreme Court judge N. Santosh Hegde supported the protest. He said, “The Government has no right to interfere in the affairs of private medical establishments in the manner described in the amendment. It is completely irrational and also dismissive of the corruption and issues long prevailing in the Government Hospitals. When I was part of the Judiciary System in various capacities and roles, I have myself seen the pathetic state of affairs at Government hospitals. The government must first address this.” He said the proposed amendment would fall apart in a court of law. “They cannot be discriminatory in this regard. Government Hospitals are themselves inefficient and corrupt and the government cannot enforce an unlawful and flawed regulation. This amendment will not stand scrutiny in the court even for five minutes.” Dr Rajshekhar Bellary, President, Indian Medical Association, Karnataka said the new proposition was regressive. “The amendments are not in sync with the prevailing standards or norms that govern the healthcare sector across the globe. This amendment is not unacceptable and is regressive,” he said.
