Mixed response to indefinite strike by private doctors in city

Mysuru: There was mixed response on the second day to the indefinite strike call given by the private practitioners in the city regarding the tabling of the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (Amendment) Act in the ongoing Assembly Session at Belagavi. A few of the private hospitals and clinics were functioned normally a day after the ‘Belagavi Chalo’ agitation while a few others had downed shutters. Speaking to Star of Mysore this morning, IMA Mysore Centre President Dr. M.S. Vishweshwara, after returning from Belagavi said, “We have to still decide on whether we will participate in the indefinite strike. The members of the IMA are meeting this evening at 5 at the Platinum Jubilee auditorium in J.K. Grounds. However, for instance, today at the Bharat Cancer Hospital where I am working, the Outpatient Department is functioning normally.” Meanwhile, the House Committee looking into the KPME Act as well as the grievances of the doctors, tabled its report  in the Legislature today.  According to reports, the Committee has dropped the contentious clause of jail term for doctors. However, even as the pressure is mounting on the State Government to resolve the issue amicably, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) chapters in other parts of the State have given a call for indefinite closure of services. IMA State President Dr. H.N. Ravindra, who is spearheading the protest, is sitting on a fast-unto-death from yesterday in Belagavi, said Dr. Sanjay Rajashekar of IMA Mysore Branch, speaking to SOM this morning. He said that all the Opposition leaders came on the stage yesterday in Belagavi to show their solidarity with the striking private doctors and assured them that they would not allow the Bill to be passed in the Assembly. Dr. Vishweshwara said that they did not want to be emotional and take any decision in a hurry.