State-wide protests on Dec 2 seeking better facilities at govt hosps

Taking cognizance of the lack of facilities in government hospitals in Maharashtra, social workers have decided to hold protests across the state on December 2. According to the social activists, they have been receiving complains about the lack of facilities and medical staff in state-run hospitals from the citizens.

Speaking about the protest, Swati Patil, a social activist from Lokjagruti Samajik Sanstha, who announced the protest, said, "We have been raising the issue and writing letters to the State Health Minister. There are many patients who visit government hospitals daily. They suffer due to a lack of medical staff. The government should provide good medical facilities and staff for the smooth functioning of these hospitals."

While there will be protests held at different hospitals on December 2, the activists are yet to finalise the hospitals where they will be protesting.

Patil said, "Six locations are confirmed. We will be going to other locations soon and examine the facilities provided in rural areas, too."

The social activists filed different Right To Information (RTI) applications to acquire the details of the medical facilities provided by the state authorities at state-run hospitals. They had been filing RTIs for the past six months to avail the statistical data before the protests.

"Our main demand is to increase the medical staff and make medicines available free of cost to the poor, at the hospitals. Many hospitals have equipment and devices that do not work," said Patil.