The controversial “Right to Health Bill” was passed in the State Assembly today, despite the ongoing protests from the medical fraternity in the State. The Health Minister of the State explained the features of the Bill, leading to a voice vote in the Assembly.

According to Health Minister Parsadi Lal Meena, Rajasthan is set to become a model state in Asia for ensuring its residents have access to healthcare. He credited the Chief Minister’s vision for the passage of the healthcare bill in the Assembly. Meena shared this statement with First India News.

The Health Minister stated that all the suggestions made by the medical fraternity regarding the bill had been taken into consideration and agreed upon. Despite opposition from the doctors, who called for the bill to be withdrawn, the minister claimed that the government was working for the benefit of the public and therefore would not roll back the bill.

In addition, the Health Minister made a plea to the medical practitioners to end their strike and resume their duties in the interest of the people. The minister emphasized that the bill was approved by the select committee after incorporating all the recommendations put forth by the doctors. Furthermore, the minister assured the doctors that they were welcome to meet him at any time, as his doors were always open. 

The proposed “Right to Health” bill in Rajasthan has led to a massive protest by doctors, with the medical fraternity demanding the withdrawal of certain clauses that they deem to be illogical and impractical. The doctors are primarily concerned about the lack of clarity on how medical emergencies will be defined and reimbursed to private doctors and hospitals. Additionally, the establishment of a separate grievance redressal committee has also been opposed by the doctors. Despite their protests, the police used force to prevent the doctors from reaching the State Assembly where the bill was scheduled to be tabled. As a result, the medical fraternity in Rajasthan has called for a complete shutdown of medical services, including government medical college doctors and resident doctors, for the first time in history.

Despite the protests by doctors, the “Right to Health” bill was passed in the Assembly. In response, the State Health Minister Parsadi Lal Meena expressed his satisfaction, stating that the bill fulfilled the promise made by the Chief Minister to provide quality healthcare to the people of Rajasthan. According to the minister, the bill makes Rajasthan the first state in both Asia and the country to introduce such a comprehensive healthcare law. The bill was passed unanimously, which the Minister hailed as a historic moment for Rajasthan.

The Health Minister has addressed the concerns of the doctors and organizations that opposed the “Right to Health” bill by clarifying that certain objections would be addressed in the Rules, rather than the Act. He emphasized that hospitals would be required to comply with the Act, and those who do not follow the rules would face consequences. However, the former president of JARD, Dr Amit Yadav, expressed skepticism about the bill’s passage and announced that the medical fraternity would continue their indefinite strike until the bill was reconsidered or withdrawn, citing the example of the Krishi Kanoon that was withdrawn after protests.

Overview

Right to Health Bill ‘illogical’, says Rajasthan medical fraternity and Protested against proposed Right to Health Bill in Rajasthan

The Rajasthan Government has proposed a “Right to Health Bill” aimed at ensuring that all residents have access to medical treatment at any hospital. However, the medical community in the State is fiercely opposing the bill, calling it draconian and illogical. Doctors have pointed out various clauses in the bill that they claim lack clarity and seek to restrict their authority. As a result, several private hospitals have closed their OPDs, and doctors have given an ultimatum to the State, threatening to escalate their protest if the bill is not revised. 

The proposed bill fails to specify who will bear the cost of emergency treatments provided free of charge by private hospitals or doctors. Doctors have raised objections to certain clauses in the bill that seek to guarantee patients’ rights to access high-quality healthcare. Specifically, they have taken issue with the requirement that patients receive free treatment for medical emergencies at both private and government hospitals. 

The doctors have presented their proposed amendments to the Government, which has referred the matter to the Select Committee for further discussion. If the Government decides to proceed with the bill without incorporating the suggested changes, doctors have warned that they will take to the streets.

Doctors in Rajasthan, India, have called for a complete shutdown of medical services to protest against the proposed Right to Health Bill, which aims to ensure that residents of the state can receive treatment at any hospital. 

The medical fraternity, including private hospitals, has been protesting the bill for several months, claiming it is draconian and lacks clarity. The doctors have mainly objected to the clauses requiring free treatment for medical emergencies at both private and government hospitals, without clarity on reimbursement for private hospitals. 

The police have used force and water cannons to disperse the protesting doctors, which has sparked outrage across the medical fraternity. The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has demanded action against responsible officials and warned of nationwide protests. The resident doctors from the Jaipur Association of Resident Doctors (JARD) and Rajasthan Medical College Teachers Association have called for a complete shutdown of medical services.

The medical fraternity across the country has extended its support to the protesting doctors in Rajasthan, with FAIMA and the Association of Resident Doctors of PGI Chandigarh condemning the attack and calling for the withdrawal of the Right to Health Bill.