There was a long queue outside the outpatient clinic at the State-run K.R. Hospital here on Friday with the OPDs in private hospitals and nursing homes remaining closed in protest against the government’s move to bring changes to the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Act, 2007.
The number of patients visiting the hospital for consultations was higher than normal. Many medical interns and PG students joined the existing doctors’ team to help clear the rush.
Private medical establishments here planned the ‘Bengaluru Chalo’ on Friday to protest against the move to fix fees for treatments in private hospitals. Most private hospitals and nursing homes in the district had closed their OPDs. Only their casualty and emergency units were functioning. This led to a rush at government hospitals and community health centers.
A delegation of doctors also went to Bengaluru from K.J. Grounds here in buses as part of ‘Bengaluru Chalo’.
Patients return home
Hassan reporter writes:
Opposing the amendments proposed to the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Act, 2007, many doctors staged a protest by pulling down shutters of private nursing homes and clinics in Hassan on Friday.
Those who had come to Hassan to meet their doctors had a tough time as many private doctors participated in a protest held in Bengaluru. Clinics and nursing homes had put up boards informing the public that health services had been closed for a day as part of the protest opposing the amendments.
Many who often go to private clinics for tests were seen in government hospitals on the day. Malikarjun, who was suffering from high fever, had to get his blood tested. He went to a private clinic in the morning but had to head to Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences as the former was closed.