Private Hospitals/Clinics Close Today (16 June) from 6 am-6 pm Protesting against Amendments in KPME Act
Mangaluru: All private nursing homes/hospitals and clinics in Mangaluru and surrounding areas will remain closed on Friday (Today, 16 June 2017 ) from 6 am to 6 pm as part of statewide bandh called by Karnataka chapter of Indian Medical Association (IMA), as a mark of protest against the State government bringing in amendments to the Karnataka Private Medical Establishment Act, 2007. All doctors with private practice will take part in “Bengaluru Chalo” and will march in Bengaluru to participate in a protest, urging the government not to approve the proposed amendments.
IMA has given the call to observe the bandh to protest against the proposed law by the state government to control the private hospitals and clinics. Speaking to Team Mangalorean, Dr Annayya Kulal, the convener of IMA said, “All private hospitals and clinics in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada will remain closed from dawn to dusk. But the emergency services will remain open during this time. There are nearly 250 private hospitals and 4000 clinics in DK; in Udupi, there are about 50 hospitals and around 500 clinics. Udupi Physicians Association has also rendered their support to this bandh. Several doctors from the coastal districts will participate in the “Bengaluru Chalo” rally organised in Bengaluru today(June 16). If the proposed state law comes into effect, consultancy fees will be dictated by the government which will affect the medical services.”
The government has proposed to fix charges or fees that can be collected by private hospitals from patients for various medical procedures. The bill says that any private medical establishment or person found overcharging the patients or their kin will have to pay a penalty of Rs 25,000 to Rs 5 lakh and face imprisonment of six months to five years. On the other hand, a government hospital or doctor does not come under the penalty clause at all. “This is ridiculous. Irrespective of where he or she works, an offence is an offence,” said the physician of a prominent private hospital.
The bill envisages the setting up of an expert committee that would make recommendations on the cost of treatment for different categories of private medical establishments. “Every private medical establishment shall follow the rates as fixed by the government and this includes package rates for investigation, bed charges, operation theatre procedures, intensive care, ventilation, implants, consultation and any additional treatments,” the bill says. It prohibits private hospitals from imposing additional charges “unless explained to and consented to by the patient”. However, the bill does not specify the expert committee’s composition, powers and responsibilities and terms and conditions of service of the members.