The chat room: It's time government regulated private hospitals, says Biju Levy

Thousands of patients across the state were put to hardship on Friday, as doctors from private hospitals resorted to a one-day strike on against the Karnataka Private Medical Establishment Bill which regulates consultation and treatment fees in private hospitals. Biju Levy, a hotelier from the city, and Shivukumar, a businessman, discuss with DC’s Nikhil G.K. whether the government has taken the right decision to control private hospitals, or doctors or justified in resorting to the protest.

Over 50,000 private hospitals and clinics remained closed on Friday as doctors stayed away in protest against the Karnataka Private Medical Establishment (Amendment) Bill, which gives the government the liberty to regulate their consultation fee, cost of treatment and so on. Fortunately for the sick, in-patients and ambulance services were not affected.

So were the doctors right in not treating people, who might have needed their help, only to register their protest against the government on this issue? A city hotelier, Biju Levy, says a clear “No.” “The private hospitals and clinics currently have no agency to regulate or control them and so fix their fee according to their whims and fancies, which is unfair to the poor, who cannot afford them. The only option the poor have is to go to government hospitals, which are not on par in facilities or treatment with the private,” he contends.

But a city businessman, Shivu Kumar, has no quarrel with private hospitals charging a high fee as he believes they are entitled to it considering the kind of facilities and services they offer. “The private hospitals use technology and equipment sourced from developed countries, which are expensive. Instead of putting a cap on what they can charge, the government should bring in policies to help the common afford the treatment at these private hospitals,” he suggests, arguing, “ If private hospitals and clinics are regulated, then every other private body should be monitored similarly.”

Not buying this point of view, Mr Levy insists the government should lose no time in capping the fee charged by private hospitals. “The government should enforce this law as soon as possible. Its first task should be to regulate the fee, which should be uniform across all private hospitals and clinics. There should be a stringent law to monitor them regularly and if they are found violating the law, they should be stripped of their license,” he says.

Not stopping there, he continues, “Doctors should be banned from practicing in more than two private hospitals. Presently doctors work in two or more hospitals and are never available during emergencies as a result. This is unfair. The proposed law should look into this too.” He, however concedes, “Specialists should be allowed to visit other hospitals for emergencies but not seek part-time employment with them.” But Mr Levy is clear that government doctors should not be allowed to practice part- time in private hospitals.

Disagreeing, Mr Kumar interrupts to say, “ Doctors cannot be told where they can work or cannot. It is left to them to work in as many hospitals as they want as long as they do their jobs properly. All hospitals cannot afford specialists for all departments and so ask doctors from other hospitals to come to them as visiting consultants. They pay them accordingly, which is fair enough.” With no summation in sight, the two men could only agree to disagree. about everyone's safety.”