Belagavi: With private hospitals and doctors stepping up their agitation against the government's move to regulate their services and charges, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday accused the BJP of instigating them to prolong their stir against the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (amendment) Bill.
Replying to an adjournment motion moved by leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, K S Eshwarappa, he recalled that he had, on Monday, clarified to representatives of private doctors led by Dr M N Ravindra, who met him, that the government had no intention to punish them with jail terms and so on and had promised to discuss their concerns with Health and Family Welfare Minister, K R Ramesh Kumar.
"Although, Dr Ravindra and others left the meeting in a positive frame of mind, they surprisingly decided to shut down hospitals and suspend all facilities (except the emergency services) from Thursday as a mark of protest. It's unfortunate that they are holding a dharna since Monday despite the assurance given to address their concerns," Mr Siddaramaiah told the House.
Making it clear that the government had no intention of controlling private hospitals, the Chief Minister said the purpose of amending the existing Act was to help poor and needy patients.
" I personally feel there was no need for the doctors to go on an indefinite strike, suspending OPD services, shutting hospitals and postponing surgeries. The stir has caused a lot of problems for the poor across the state," he observed, also wondering why private doctors had gone on strike when the Bill was yet to be tabled in the state legislature.
Earlier there was pandemonium in the House when Mr Eshwarappa held the government and Health Minister responsible for the deaths of around 25 innocent people calling them "murderers'.
