Partial response to Doctors' strike against IMC Bill in Karnataka

Bengaluru: There was a partial response from the state for the strike call given by Indian Medical Association in protest against the decision of the central government to go ahead with the introduction of Indian Medical Commission (IMC) Bill. The doctors had decided to keep the outpatient departments of private hospitals closed for 12 hours from 6 am on Saturday. In addition, private clinics and laboratories remained closed.

Government hospitals experienced an unusual rush as people had prior knowledge about strike by private doctors. Some patients had to go back home after visiting the clinics and hospitals and finding them closed. However, a few hospitals in several districts extended services in outpatient departments on humanitarian grounds.

Expecting a spike in patient inflow, advance preparations had been made at government hospitals.  Although there were many cases in which children, pregnant women and senior citizens faced problems, the strike did not affect the people to the expected level.

In Dakshina Kannada district, most of the private hospitals outpatient departments did not function, however hospitals like Father Muller Hospital, KMC, A J, Srinivas Hospital Mukka, K S Hegde Hospital at Deralakatte, Yenepoya Hospital and others had these departments functioning. Also, Kasturba Medical College Hospital at Manipal however ran its outpatient services as usual. Prompt assistance was provided to those needing emergency treatment.

However, patients faced much problem in getting outpatient services at Madikeri, Hubballi, Koppal, Ballari, Haveri, Gadag, Belagavi and other north Karnataka districts.

Ironically, most of the hospitals and clinics in Uttara Kannada and Kalaburagi functioned normally although the doctors here had supported the strike call. The doctors of these districts participated in the protest, sent memorandums to the government through deputy commissioners, and then attended their duties. In Mysuru, Chikkaballapur, Bengaluru, Kolar, Tumakuru, Ramanagara and some other districts too outpatient services were not affected.

Doctors are not opposing the new IMC amendment bill in its entirely but that there are certain drawbacks in the bill.  the doctors agree that those found guilty should be punished, but they are opposed to the proposal to deactivate Indian Medical Council and bring a new commission in its place, said Dr H M Raveendra, president of the Indian Medical Association Karnataka.