High Court directs striking private doctors to resume work

The Karnataka High Court today passed an interim order directing the agitating private doctors to restore forthwith their medical services.
A Division Bench comprising acting Chief Justice H G Ramesh and Justice P S Dinesh Kumar observed that basic medical services were a right to life for every citizen.
The bench also observed that disobeying its order will amount to violation of court order.
Yesterday, the court had asked private hospital doctors to immediately withdraw their indefinite stir.
The bench had observed that the doctors should call off their protest as the state government had an "open mind on the issue", and asked them to participate in the talks convened by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at Belagavi today.

The bench had also said there was no strong case for the doctors to protest as the KPME amendment bill has not yet been tabled in the Assembly.

The doctors are opposing the amendments to the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (KPME) Act, 2007, which among others propose six months to three years jail termand hefty penalty for medical negligence on the part of doctors.
The proposed amendments are based on recommendations of former Supreme Court judge Vikramajit Sen.
The petitions complained about severe hardship being caused to the public due to the strike.
Health services in the state have hit as doctors across the state have shut down clinics and outpatient services in private hospitals indefinitely since yesterday as a protest against the proposed bill.