Private doctors' protest in Karnataka demanding watering down of the proposed medical bill was finally called off on Friday late evening, after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah held a four-hour-long meeting with the agitating doctors and assured them of amending certain contentious clauses including cap on pricing, punitive action including jail term for medical negligence or misconduct.
The shutdown of outpatient services at private hospitals for the second day saw patients lining up before the government hospitals.
While the deadlock between the government and the doctors persisted for five days, reports of at least 35 deaths allegedly for want of medical attention kept pouring in causing anxious moments for the government and also to the doctors.
Health Minister Ramesh Kumar who remained adamant over tabling the bill without further negotiations, seems to have eased his stance. With the private hospitals and clinics shutting down their services (barring emergency care) to express solidarity with their leaders in a relay hunger strike, and the opposition parties criticising the government for "hurrying the bill sans proper consultation", the government held talks with doctors at Belagavi, where the state legislature is in session.
While the minister had earlier criticised the "coercive" tactics of the private sector even before the bill was tabled, there seemed to be a change of heart in the Ruling Congress (which remains divided over the bill) as both the chief minister and Kumar declared all was well and the bill would now be tabled on Monday with "some changes" as demanded by the doctors.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court which heard three PILs against the doctors going on protest, rapped the doctors, reminding them of their professional ethics and social standing. "Do you have any common sense? Who will take the blame for the death of innocents and who will compensate for it? You have compelled us to direct you to withdraw the protest, " said the two-member bench.
The chief minister assured that the bill was pro-people. "The government is responsible for the healthcare of all. The bill is a precursor to the Universal Health Coverage, which will integrate all the health schemes. We are aware that we need to partner with the private sector for many services. The bill will be tabled on Monday, after incorporating recommendations of the doctors," said Siddaramaiah.
Elaborating on the clauses opposed to by the private doctors, the chief minister clarified that the proposed jail term for erring doctors has been scrapped. "Instead a penalty will be imposed based on the recommendation of a government appointed expert forum," he added.
The other two concerns regarding cap on pricing of standard procedures and the district grievance redressal committee (which the doctors fear would pave the way for an extortion racket) will also be modified now.
Dr Ravindra, president of Indian Medical Association, said that they were ready to withdraw the protest as their concerns have been addressed. "In fact, counter clause to punish those guilty of false complaints against doctors will now be included," said Ravindra, who expressed regret over the reported deaths of patients. "I apologise if they occurred due to our protest," said Ravindra.
Upset over the opposition blaming the government for the deaths, Siddaramaiah dubbed the BJP and the JD(S) as opportunists.
"At least 100 people died post demonetisation. Who do you hold responsible for it? Now, if you are insisting that people have died due to lack of medical care (due to doctors' protest), give me evidence to prove it," demanded Siddaramaiah.
