Will resign if medical bill is not passed, says Karnataka health minister

Karnataka Health Minister Ramesh Kumar has said that he will resign if the proposed Karnataka private medical act is not passed in its entirety.

More than 40,000 doctors from various medical hospitals associated with private hospital association and Indian medical association have been protesting during the Belgavi session.

The doctors have started a relay hunger strike in three districts to protest against the bill. Out patient services have been affected in various parts of Karnataka as doctors continue their protest.

"I have read in the media that three people have died due to the strike by doctors of private hospitals. If this is true, then as a citizen and a human being, I would like to apologise to families of those who lost their loved ones", minister Ramesh Kumar said.

The doctors have been opposing because the government will have more power to regulate fees and cost of treatment at private hospitals and the amendment proposed is nothing but a draconian law.

The doctors are expected to continue the relay hunger strike.