Advocates Demand Right to Health Act in State

Representatives from Praja Arogya Vedika met with Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav on Monday to present a memorandum detailing significant challenges within the state's healthcare sector. The delegation emphasized the need for policy and administrative measures to bolster government health services.

Discussions centered on issues affecting public healthcare, following a round-table conference held in Vijayawada on August 2. At this conference, a nine-point resolution was adopted, calling for comprehensive reforms. A primary demand is the enactment of a Right to Health Act, guaranteeing healthcare as a legal right.

Further resolutions include the withdrawal of Public-Private Partnerships in medical colleges and hospitals. Additionally, advocates called for a substantial increase in public health expenditure, aligning with World Health Organization recommendations, and the prompt completion and full operation of all under-construction government medical colleges. The memorandum stressed that safeguarding public health is the government's fundamental duty, asserting that privatization and insurance-based models cannot replace a robust public system.