KPME (Karnataka Private Medical Establishment) – ಕೆಪಿಎಂಇ (ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಖಾಸಗಿ ವೈದ್ಯಕೀಯ ಸ್ಥಾಪನೆ)
The government has passed the Karnataka Private Medical Establishment Act in the year 2007 for bringing comprehensive legislation in India. They replaced the Karnataka Private Nursing Home (Regulation) Act of 1976. The KPME Act controls the medical establishments that are private in the state of Karnataka. Besides, the Bill also made PME registration mandatory and clearly stated the guidelines for monitoring their quality.
The Karnataka Private Medical Establishment (Amendment) Bill of 2007 that K.R. Ramesh Kumar, the present Health Minister proposed some revisions on the earlier KPME Bill that existed in the state till date with the intention of bringing the Public Medical Establishments of the state under the State’s Government’s purview.
Why did the existing KPME Bill need amendment? – ಕೆಪಿಎಂಇ ಬಿಲ್
As per the opinion of the State Government of Karnataka, this newest amendment is necessary to pave the way for the State Government of Karnataka’s fixing rates of treatment for every single class. It will also provide the citizens of the state, a platform for addressing their complaints.
The grievance/complaint redressal systems will allow people to clearly state their grievances regarding the services of Private Medical Establishments in the state. Two other improvements in the KPME ACT are increasing fines and expanding the imprisonment periods. For example, if you run a private Medical establishment which isn’t registered yet, according to the newest Amendment, you will have to pay Rs. 500000.
It also intends to stop the practice of asking for advance payments at times of emergency before treating the patient who demands immediate attention. It further adds that all Private Medical Institutions in Karnataka should clearly display the Private Medical Establishment’s Charter and the Patient’s Charter.
This new amendment will also put to end another practice of not releasing the corpse to the dead person’s family or relatives until they clear all the dues. They have to release the body of the deceased person whether the family clears the dues at that time or not.
The reaction of the doctors on ಕೆಪಿಎಂಇ ಕಾಯಿದೆ
Here is the KPME Act latest news: The private doctors are not at all happy with these improvements. Dr. H.N. Ravindra, the State-unit President of the Indian Medical Association, sees the amendments as nothing but “draconian.”
The private doctors in Karnataka have raised the banner of protest as they are not happy with specific provisions. The imprisonment of physicians under certain circumstances, setting up a cell for grievance redressal. The price also capping of several procedures. They want to voice out their disapproval against the KPME Amendment Bill. At least 500 doctors have gathered in front of Chamrajpet Indian Medical Association. They have opposed the Karnataka Private Medical Establishment Act.
KPME Website: Click Here
The KPME Registration: Click Here
KPME Act: Click Here