Rajasthan passes Right To Health Bill; Docs continue protest

Amid the doctors' protest, the Rajasthan government passed the Right to Health Bill that gives every resident of the state the right to avail free OPD and IPD services at all public health facilities. Doctors of private hospitals and nursing homes were protesting against the bill citing many issues with the bill. Rajasthan health minister Parsadi Lal Meena said that there would be no amendment in the Right to Health Bill and everyone has to accept it.

While doctors are highlighting many issues with the Right to Health Bill which was passed in the state Assembly on Tuesday, health minister Parsadi Lal Meena said that there would be no amendment in the Right to Health Bill as it has become a law and everyone has to accept it.

Rajasthan has become the first state to pass such a bill, which gives every resident of the state the right to avail of free Out Patient Department (OPD) services and In-Patient Department (IPD) services at all public health facilities. 

The bill was opposed by the doctors as well as BJP. Various doctors' associations supported the doctors' protest.

After the bill was passed, FORDA India tweeted, "Controversial RTH bill passed in @RajAssembly. They’ll never pass a bill on violence against doctors with such determination. Or anything which even remotely favours the doctors. Hugely disappointed with @RajGovOfficial’s dictatorial approach to this issue. @plmeenaINC 

@RajCMO We stand united with @jardsmsjaipur & @UPCHAR4 in this black hour."

“The doctors should think what is the justification for this strike. For the first time, doctors are included in the committees from the state level to the district level. The doctors are agitating despite their suggestions being accepted. This is not justified. They are demanding withdrawal of the bill, is it justified?” Health Minister Meena asked, as reported by swachhindia.ndtv.com.

Right To Health Bill: Details

After the bill is passed, all residents will be entitled to emergency treatment and care for an accidental emergency without prepayment of any fee or charges. Moreover, it includes free healthcare services, including consultation, drugs, diagnostics, emergency transport, procedure and emergency care, will be provided at all public health institutions and select private facilities subject to conditions specified in the rules, which will be formulated.

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