Belagavi Chalo: OPD services in pvt hospitals to be hit

The out-patient services will be affected across the city's private hospitals on Monday as doctors and paramedic staff will stage a Belagavi Chalo, opposing the proposed amendments to Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (KPME) Act.

Doctors from across the state will converge at Belagavi to register their protest against the KPME Bill. The doctors, in a meeting earlier this month, had decided to meet the chief minister and the health minister to request for changes in the Bill.

"We are expecting around 30,000 doctors from the state for Belagavi protest." said Dr Veeranna B, secretary, Indian Medical Association.

He added that the protest may even lead to a hunger strike until a favourable decision is made.

"If there is no positive response from the government, then we will protest until the session gets over," said Dr R Ravindra, secretary, Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association.

He added that the private medical establishments associations will take a legal course, if the the government refuses to consider their demands.

According to doctors, the out-patient services will remain closed throughout the day on Monday while emergency services will continue working with skeletal staff.