Karnataka has made draft rules over Private Medical Establishments (Amendments) Act.
Several concerns have been felt over these draft rules.
What is KPME Act?
The Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Act was passed in 2007 to "to bring a comprehensive legislation in place of the Karnataka Private Nursing Home (Regulation) Act, 1976.
This act will be the legal control over private medical establishments (PMEs) in the State.
Among other things, the Bill made the registration of PMEs mandatory and laid down guidelines to ensure their quality.
Initially amendments made to Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (Amendment) Bill 2017 intends to bring the PMEs under the purview of the government.
This paved a way for the Karnataka government fixing the rates for each class of treatment, and will provide grievance redressal systems.
It also aimed to put a stop to the practice of demanding advance payment in case of emergency treatment, and not releasing dead bodies to relatives till all dues have been settled.
After a series of protest made by private health sector entities a recent amendment made has been made which allows inclusion of pro-corporate entities on various expert committees.
What is the significance of recent amendment this act?
Looking at the larger interests of the community, most of our concerns have been addressed.
The rules show the importance of private health sector participation in providing affordable and quality healthcare services to people.
What are the concerns over the act?
In the initial amendments said the government would notify fixed charges for various procedures, the rules did not indicate that the government had any control.
Many health activists claims that government is leaning towards private hospitals.
Inclusion of pro-corporate entities will skew both standards and costing in favour of large corporate hospitals.
It will also escalate costs that will only push citizens into pauperisation and destitution.
