Healthcare to take a hit as private OPDs shut today

BENGALURU: With private hospitals in Karnataka handling nearly 70% of the outpatient cases, one-day token strike announced by private institutions is set to impact medical services on Friday. Private hospitals are protesting against stringent clauses in the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (Amendment) Bill, 2017.
The government has directed doctors in state-run hospitals not to go on leave on Friday , and instructed district health officials and surgeons to ensure its hospitals are fully functional.
Private hospitals, including super-specialty ones, have put up notices on their premises about the OPD strike on Friday. The Karnataka chapter of the Association of Surgeons of India has said OPD services will remain closed on Friday .
Private hospitals get hundreds of outpatients daily. Most hospitals have rescheduled their OPD appointments on Friday . The state has about 50,000 private practitioners, who see 20 patients a day. “It wouldn't be easy for government hospitals to treat over 10 lakh additional patients on a day," said a doctor.