Karnataka: Bengaluru private doctors call off their strike, hunger strike to continue in Belagavi

Around 20000 doctors practicing in 6000 private hospitals in Karnataka’s Bengaluru on strike to protest against the proposed amendments in the Karnataka Private Medical Establishment Bill 2007 from Thursday morning have called off their strike.

Members of Private Hospitals & Nursing Homes Association (PHANA) called off strike.They  added that their hunger strike in Belagavi will continue.

The strike was supported by more than 20 associations of private doctors are supporting this strike and doctor's have said strike will not be called of till Karnataka government withdraws this bill. Earlier in the day, more hundreds of private doctors gathered at the Indian Medical association (IMA) Bengaluru campus and protested against Karnataka government’s proposed  bill.

Dr.Devi Shetty, chairman Narayana Health City talking to media had said,  "Our prestige and honour is at stake. Already we have six grievance cells and now govt wants one more grievance cell and elected representative will be head of this. We will not be allowed to hire lawyer, even Kasab got lawyer but this government doesn't allow us to hire the lawyer who can represent us in front of this grievance cell.”

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.

Also read: Karnataka: Private doctors protesting medical bill go on indefinite strike in Bengaluru

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddharamaiah requested the doctors to call off the strike since dialogue between doctor's and government is still on. The chief minister assured them that the bill will be tabled only after the consent of doctors.

Siddharamaiah said,  “I met doctors and told them that the bill has not been tabled yet in the assembly. It will be tabled only after taking consent from the doctors, but still they are protesting which is not right ".

Also read: Rajasthan doctors end 7-day strike after 'successful' talks with government

Karnataka High Court while hearing a PIL regarding doctor's protest had requested the doctors to withdraw the strike and adjourned the hearing for tomorrow.