No OPD Bandh, But Private Doctors to Protest in Belgavi against KPME Act on 13 Nov
Mangaluru: Seems like the fight against Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (KPME) Act by the private doctors is not going to end in the nearest future- having received no positive results from the “All Private Hospitals/Nursing Homes bandh” observed on 3 November, at least 95-99%, nearly 25,000 of local private doctors have decided to hold a protest during the legislature session in Belagavi on Monday, 13 November opposing proposed amendments to the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (KPME) Act. But this time the doctors have not called for a total closure of OPD/Emergency services at private hospitals/nursing homes- but they have made arrangements by requesting doctors from outside the area to fill in for them, when they are traveling to Belagavi coming Monday.
The Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (Amendment) Bill, 2017, tabled in the State Legislative Assembly, has kept government hospitals out of the purview of the legislation, setting aside the recommendation of the Justice Vikramajit Sen committee. The committee, appointed in July 2016 to draft amendments to regulate the healthcare system in the State, had said that there cannot be two sets of rules for private and government hospitals. The doctors call the Bill ‘draconian’, because it allows govt. to fix rates for procedures, which the doctors are against it.
Addressing the media persons during a press meet held at Mangalore Press Club, Dr K R Kamath- President of Indian Medical Association (IMA)-Mangaluru Chapter said “Government of Karnataka is planning to present KPME Act amendment in the assembly in November. This act has been presented already once and had objections of members of assembly, doctors and many organizations. Hence it was referred to joint committee. It is being tabled again in assembly on 13 November, during which we have planned to gather at the venue and protest against the Act. And if we don’t succeed in getting any positive results from this, we will plan a different type of protest until we get justice. There are more than 1.25 lakh doctors in the state and Karnataka branch of Indian Medical Association has 35,000 members. IMA’s endeavor is to send at least 100 to 400 doctors from each of the IMA branches in the state, depending on the strength of the branch.”
Dr Yusuf Kumble, president, Nursing Home and Private Hospitals Association, Dakshina Kannada, and MD of Indiana Hospital said, ” We are not opposing the Act per say, but it has to be enforced as per the recommendation of the government-appointed Justice Vikramjit Sen Commission. This Act, in its present form, is detrimental not only to the healthcare providers but also to the patients, and that’s the reason we are raising our voice and protesting against it. Because we feel that once the Act is introduced, it will have the potential to create irreparable damage to the Karnataka healthcare landscape. It is a regressive step in healthcare, and we may have to cease our profession”.
“The Act has price capping for procedures and penal provisions against those flouting it. Also the government hospitals have been kept out the legislation, this Act will ensure that new doctors will not start practice in new hospitals. This will be one of the worst decisions in the history of Karnataka. On price capping, India has one of the most affordable health care systems in the world. That is why medical tourism is increasing in India. This is in spite of escalating costs of all essentials. If the government is seriously intending to reduce the cost of treatment, then it must consider concessional tax and tariff for the private hospitals,” added Dr Kumble.
Dr Kumble further said, “All hospitals have their rate displayed in their hospitals. However the rates of the procedures and investigations varies from place to place, depending on the infrastructure, service standards and other parameters. This cannot be generalized. Many have put forth allegations that private hospitals are making windfall profits, but they should realize that financials of all the major hospitals are available in public domain and for most of then the net profit margin is either negative or in single digit. Due to heavy initial investment, most new hospital don’t break-even even after five years of operations. After investing huge amounts and often funded by bank loan, the return on investment and the return on effort is meagre. Half of the small and medium hospitals are on the verge of closure as it is not becoming viable. All I can say is that this KPME Act is regressive; and will surely kill health care”
Also Read Related Articles:
SOS! Wenlock Hospital to the Rescue and Patients are Grateful & Happy
If You Get Sick on Nov 3, You Are in Trouble! ‘Cause Private Doctors Will be on Strike
