Bengaluru: 22,000 doctors of 6,000 private hospitals to go on indefinite strike against KPME amendment bill

Around 22,000 private practicing doctors of Bengaluru have announced to go on indefinite strike from Thursday morning against the proposed amendments in Karnataka Medical Establishment bill 2007.

Dr C.Jayanna, President Private Hospitals & Nursing Homes Association (PHANA) said, “We have decided to go on indefinite strike from Thursday 8am against the proposed amendments in KPME Bill 2007.”

He added, “OPDs of six thousand private medical establishments will remain shut in Bengaluru, Though emergency services will function as earlier".

The Karnataka government has proposed amendments in KPME Bill 2007 to regulate the private hospitals. The bill proposes regulation of costs in private hospitals and setting up of a grievance redressal committee to look into the complaints against private hospitals.

The government will be tabling this bill in the  ongoing assembly session in Suvarna Soudha at Belagvi.

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Doctors from across the state since Monday are sitting on protest in front of Suvarna Soudha at Belagvi demanding withdrawal of the proposed amendment bill.

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Dr.Madan Gaekewad, President Elect PHANA, said, “This bill is draconian and Govt is trying to pass this bill in haste. Doctors will not accept this and fight till bill is withdrawn".