Karnataka Health Minister offers apology for deaths due to doctor stir

Belagavi: Health and Family Welfare Minister, K R Ramesh Kumar declared on Tuesday that he was ready to take 'political sanyas' if the BJP proved that the proposed law to regulate private hospitals and doctors was " anti-poor" as it claimed.

The Minister also offered to give an unconditional apology if he was responsible for the death of three people, who reportedly did not receive the medical care they needed during the recent doctors' strike.

Making a suo moto statement in the Legislative Council, he conveyed his deep sympathies to the families of the three , who died, saying, "I am ready to apologise if I am responsible for their death. The Karnataka Private Medical Practitioners Regulation Act came into force in 2007. But we have to amend it to implement various health programmes launched by both the state and Union governments. We need to depend upon the private medical establishments to implement these schemes. I am not against private doctors, but am only trying to pass certain amendments that are needed."

Mr Ramesh Kumar said his department had consulted several stakeholders when drafting the Bill, including private medical practitioners, who had suggested a few changes.

Taking on leader of the opposition in the council, K S Eshwarappa for calling him a 'murderer,' the minister said he had not murdered anyone in his life..

"I thought of moving a privilege motion against the BJP leader, but dropped the idea as it has lost its relevance," he said.

Later, Mr Eshwarappa asked the Health Minister to convene a meeting of all stakeholders, the Chief Minister and opposition party leaders to clear the confusion over the Bill as the people were suffering with doctors now launching a relay hunger strike in support of their demands.