Doc assns. and experts back Rajasthan RTH Bill
Demands Public Health Services To Be Strengthened
- Whan continue to protest Han continue to protest against the state's Right to Health Bill, many associations of doctors and public health experts have issued statements supporting the bill, which aims to make healthcare a legal entitlement for all residents of Rajasthan.
- Welcoming the effort, Jan Swasthika Abhiyan, a network of associations of doctors and public health experts, said in a statement: "Rajasthan has initiated the process of making basic health services a justiciable right, based on providing legal guarantee of public health services and emergency healthcare in the state, setting a historical example for the rest of the country."
- JSA criticized what it saw as the misinformation being spread by certain lobbies claiming that the act is anti-private sector, and their politically motivated demand that the Act should be withdrawn. At the same time, it sought modification and clarification of several provisions in the Act to ensure optimal and effective implementation.
- Association of Doctors for Ethical Healthcare (ADEH) also welcomed the law but urged the government to address the core issues causing the unrest regarding the scope and extent of coverage. JSA and ADEH sought greater clarity regarding the definition of emergency care keeping in view the complexity of emergency management.
- Both associations also stressed the need to ensure that reimbursement to private providers for emergency treatment be made transparent, hassle-free, corruption- free and time-bound.
- JSA sought enhancing of the health budget and strengthening of public health services to fulfill the provisions of the Act. It also sought strengthening of mechanisms to ensure accountability and a robust grievance redressal system for patients and doctors.
- Taking note of the state government's promise to address many of the issues, JSA and ADEH urged the IMA and involved medical professionals to reconsider their position, and to positively engage with and support the rolling out of the Act and its rules.