16/11/2017
To my patients who are being bombarded by media for their own TRP’s . I have never seen media cover any of the incidents where doctors are beaten up for some flimsy reason but when they come out to fight for their dignity things change
‘KPMEA MYTHS AND FACTS*
There has been a lot of misreporting by the media about the KPME act ammendments. We would like to present the facts of the issue and why doctors are opposing it.
*1. Media:* KPME act is for registration of private hospitals which doctors are against.
*Fact:* Doctors already register their clinics under the KPMEA, and renew it once every 5 years. This new amendment makes it once every 3 years.
*Why we oppose:* At present, there is already a LICENSE RAJ, where we are forced to run from one office to another, often dealing with bribes and corruption to register our clinics. This amendment will only increase corruption and harassment of doctors.
*2. Media:* This amendment helps patients get justice against doctors.
*Fact:* This amendment establishes a district redressal body called The District Appealate, made of 6 members, headed by the panchayat head, with only 1 member as a doctor (may not even be of modern medicine), and others by nonprofessionals. A doctor has to represent himself in case of a complaint, without a lawyer.
*Why we oppose:*
A) It is not possible for a non medical professional to make judgement on a doctor's decisions. This body will harass doctors and increase corruption.
😎 Why should a doctor have to represent himself for any complaint, and not allowed a lawyer!? Who will look after his patients while the doctor wastes time representing himself?
C) There are already several bodies for patients to complain to, including consumer court, civil court, Medical Council of India etc. Another body is unnecessary and only serves to instill fear in a doctor's mind and increase corruption.
*3. Media:* This amendment is to control corporate hospitals, not small clinics.
*Fact:* The amendment applies to all private establishments.
*Why we oppose:* Small clinics and nursing homes are run by 1 or 2 doctors, without any management staff. They form the backbone of Healthcare in most rural areas. They will be worst hit by this amendment, and might be forced to shut down, which will be disastrous for the general public.
*4. Media:* The government is already providing Healthcare at affordable rates. The private sector needs to be regulated.
*Fact:* The government budget and spending on Healthcare is abysmally low. WHO advises spending 10% of GDP. In India it is 1%. Karnataka has fewer government health care facilities per 1000 population than any neighboring state.
*Why we oppose:* The government has failed in its responsibility to provide good public healthcare. Instead of improving their facilities they are seeking to curb private establishments. This will only lower private establishments to government level.
*5. Media:* Private hospitals are looting patients and earning huge profits.
*Fact:* Most private establishments do not break even for 5 to 10 years. After that their profits are in single digits. This is in large corporate hospitals. In smaller nursing homes, doctors only aim to earn a decent living. Enough to pay their staff and give a good future for their children.
*Why we oppose:* The government offers ZERO subsidies to private medical establishments. We buy land at commercial rates, pay commercial tax, GST, water, all at commercial rates. Industries pay Rs.5 per unit of electricity. We pay Rs.8 per unit. When the government is not subsidizing anything for us in any manner, what right do they have to set our prices.
Moreover there is a wide range of services and equipments available for each condition and treatment. Cost of any type of medical equipment (eg. Ultrasound or laser machine or ventilator) can vary immensly (lakhs to crores) depending on the model and sophistication. How can a procedure done by a more expensive and better machine be charged the same as a lost machine? What is the incentive for any hospital to invest in new technology or improve service if the rate charged is the same no matter what. Why should a doctor spend money at conferences or go abroad to learn, if he has to charge the same as someone else less trained?
This amounts to communism and cannot be sustained. It will lead to a collapse of the Healthcare industry. This isn't an assumption, it is an eventuality.
We hope the above points clarify the situation and help you understand the seriousness of the issue and the reason for this protest. This is in everyone's interest, not just doctors. We have also the right to live in dignity .
Jai Hind!
