Upto Rs 50000 Fine, Cancellation of license: Karnataka Health Minister threatens private hospitals over unnecessary C-Sections

Belagavi: Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Monday cautioned private hospitals across the state against conducting unnecessary caesarean deliveries for financial gain, asserting that strict action would be taken against those found violating medical norms. Such violations can attract penalties of up to ₹50,000 and even cancellation of registration under the KPME Act

Responding to a question raised by JD(S) member Govinda Raju in the Legislative Council, the minister said that no private hospitals have yet been formally identified for performing unwarranted C-sections, and the District Karnataka Private Medical Establishment (KPME) Registration and Grievance Redressal Authorities have not received any complaints from the public regarding such practices.

In case of any private medical establishment failing to comply with any of the directions given by the Registration and Grievance Redressal Authority under sub-section (8) of section 7, the Authority may impose a penalty not exceeding fifty thousand rupees and extend the time for compliance or proceed to cancel the registration of the establishment, after giving the establishment an opportunity of being heard.