The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) said on Friday that Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader must demonstrate courage and commitment to stop private hospitals from charging exorbitant fees for treatments, rather than merely issuing statements on implementing the rules of the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (KPME) Act, 2007.
The Minister should take concrete steps for the implementation of the rules of the Act, and the government must rein in the tendency of private hospitals to exploit a patient’s vulnerability for the sake of profit, it said.
Responding to the Minister’s statements made after holding a meeting with representatives of the Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association (PHANA) in Bengaluru on Thursday, the DYFI said that the KPME Act came into force long ago. The fact that the government has failed to effectively regulate the treatment charges of private hospitals, despite the Act being in force for all these years, is nothing short of an administrative failure.
Simply speaking about the rules of a long-standing Act will not address the health-related challenges faced by the people. The real question today is, while the Act and its rules exist, does the government possess the political will to enforce them strictly?, asked Lavithra Vasrad, president, and Santhosh Bajal, secretary, Karnataka unit of the DYFI.
They asked the Minister to reveal the actions taken by the government against private hospitals that charge high fees and “exploit” patients.
They said in a joint statement that Mr. Khader’s statements appear to be nothing more than an attempt to hoodwink people.
Stark realities
The DYFI said that varying costs for the same medical treatment across different hospitals, treatment expenses that remain beyond the reach of the common man, the burden of unnecessary medical tests, and persistent anxiety regarding mounting bills until the very moment of discharge are the stark realities faced by people.
The Health Minister must realise that true responsibility lies with those in power and those who possess the authority to take concrete action to prevent such practices.
The district-level regulatory authorities operating under the KPME Act must be empowered with greater authority, adequate staffing, and the necessary resources, they said.
Strengthen government hospitals
The DYFI said that, first and foremost, government hospitals should be strengthened and upgraded to serve as a viable alternative to private hospitals.
Only when quality treatment is ensured within government hospitals can people escape the situation where they are compelled to turn to private hospitals, they said.
The State government should take steps to establish units of specialised institutions – such as the Kidwai Cancer Institute, the Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, and NIMHANS – in every district. Specialised care must be made accessible and affordable for the poor and middle class within their own districts, the DYFI said.
Published - October 23, 2026 07:11 pm IST