Private doctors strike: Stalemate continues for 5th day in Karnataka

Despite an appeal by the High Court acting Chief Justice HG Ramesh, the OPD and other sections remained shut by the agitators who are staging relay-hunger strike in front of Suvarna Vikas Soudha Belagavi where legislative Session is in progress.

Yesterday acting on PILs, Justice Ramesh had asked the Advocate appearing on behalf of the agitating Doctors to withdraw the stir as it is their bounden duty to serve the people but it seems the agitators are not ready to listen.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will hold talks with the representatives of the agitating members at Belagavi in the afternoon to find a solution.

The Government was of the opinion that since the Amendment to Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Act (KPM) was not moved in the House it is not right on the part of the Doctors to stage agitation at this time.  However, the agitators were bent upon the Government to drop the proposal once for all as it will have severe impact on the functioning of Private hospitals, clinics and even Doctors may close down their shops.

At Hubballi, JD-S State President HD Kumaraswamy said that he had a telephonic discussions with the Chief Minister and law and Parliamentary Minister TB Jayachandra about the doctors strike who are opposing KPME bill and suggested for amicable settlement in the interest of the patients.

He  said that the Bill needed some alterations and the Government should heed to the demands of the Doctors. The Chief Minister should take the Doctors into confidence so that both people and the Doctors are benefited. Since the issue has taken a sensitive turn there is need to solve the issue in a proper manner.

He said that Doctors should not put to any irritating position by standing before the authority with folded hands as it is mentioned in the Bill and they should avoid any such irking issues.

He said that both the leaders should hold discussions with the Health Minister Ramesh Kumar and find a proper solution so that the common mass and the private hospitals are benefited.

At Belagavi, Dr Shashikant Kulgod, Gastroenterologist, broke down in a press conference over the media reports damaging reputation of doctors' profession.

Dr Kulgod speaking to newsmen said, it's an issue of survival for medical practitioners if proposed amendments brought by the government to KPME Act are passed. Most of the doctors will quit the profession. "It's painful as media is portraying us as terrorists, which is unfortunate."