Dental clinics to remain closed

All dental clinics which are part of the Indian Dental Association, will remain closed on November 13 as a mark of protest against the proposed amendment to Karnataka Private Medical Establishment Act. The IDA Karnataka chapter will conduct a march towards Belagavi on November 13.

In a press release, IDA Karnataka representative Dr Shivacharan Shetty stated that the government has not responded positively even though many memoranda have been submitted to it to shelve the proposed amendment. The provisions included in the amendment, such as setting up of a grievance committee, the imposition of fine, jail term and fixing of hospital charges will adversely affect the private hospitals and the private practitioners.

There is also a possibility of expert doctors migrating to other states, being unable to follow the obligations under the amended act.