The convention took place on March 5 and 6 at Gandhi Bhavan, Kothrud and was attended by over 170 representatives from 30 districts.
The sharp hike in fees at medical college hospitals, the massive shortage of medicines and violation of patients’ rights in private hospitals were the main issues discussed at the two-day state convention on health rights organised by Jan Arogya Abhiyan (JAA).
The convention took place on March 5 and 6 at Gandhi Bhavan, Kothrud and was attended by over 170 representatives from 30 districts.
The delegates demanded reversal of the sharp hike in charges at medical college hospitals. They sought a revamp of the state medicine procurement and distribution policy to ensure guaranteed availability of essential medicines at all health facilities including primary health care centres (PHCs). They called for adoption of provisions of the Bombay Nursing Homes Registration (BNHR) Act, 1949 to ensure protection of patients’ rights in private hospitals.
Dr Abhay Shukla of the JAA told DNA, “The shortage of essential medicines in public hospitals across the state was taken up as a key issue.
A survey by the JAA in five districts showed that 50 to 70% of essential medicines are unavailable in PHCs and rural hospitals. The medicine procurement system in the state is non-transparent and inefficient, leading to untold suffering for lakhs of patients.”
He pointed out that Tamil Nadu and Kerala have put in place autonomous corporations for procurement of medicines. This ensures transparent purchase of medicines for the public system at low prices, along with availability of medicines in facilities across the state.
“We also protest against the recent hike in user fees at medical college hospitals introduced by the government, which has practically doubled the fees,” he said.
Shukla said Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have abolished user fees in public health facilities. The common review mission report of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) has also declared the need to phase out user fees.
Dr Anant Phadke, convenor of JAA, said the organisation has joined hands with other bodies to form patients’ rights committees in various cities to push for a standard charter of patients’ rights. A final approval is awaited from the state government, he said.
The convention decided unanimously that if no response is received from the health department, a state-level campaign will be launched. A state-level signature campaign has been launched and a letter sent to chief minister, Prithviraj Chavan. On April 7, the World Health Day, mass signatures would be submitted to the chief minister.
“Subsequently, a JAA delegation will meet the chief minister to discuss all these issues and seek action,” Phadke said.
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