Rajasthan 'Right To Health' Protest: Massive Demonstration By Doctors In Jaipur; IMA Calls For Nationwide Shutdown Of Services

Rajasthan capital Jaipur witnessed a massive protest by doctors today.

This is in addition to the state suffering its eight straight day of strike of doctors working in private medical institutions.

Thousands of doctors from across Rajasthan gathered in Jaipur and took out a foot march from outside the SMS Medical College.

Notably, the protesting doctors of the state have received support of the Indian Medical Association and the IMA has announced that today, 27 March, be marked as a 'Black Day.

Further, the IMA has called for a nationwide shutdown of medical services.

What are the protests against?

The strike and protest is against the recently passed Right to Health Bill.

The bill, which was passed in the Rajasthan Assembly on 21 March by voice vote, gives every resident of the state the right to emergency treatment and care 'without prepayment of requisite fee or charges' by any public health institution, health care establishment (including private ones) and designated health care centres.

It defines a 'health care establishment' as the whole or any part of a public or private institution, facility, building or place operated to provide health care.

If a patient does not pay the charges after emergency care, stabilisation and referral, the government will reimburse the health care provider.

With this, Rajasthan became the first state in the country to pass a 'Right to Health' legislation.

Protesting doctors of private institutions say that through this legislation the government is shirking its responsibility of improving medical care in the state. Rather than enhancing the quality of services in government medical centres, the Right to Health Act will bring down the private hospitals and clinics to the level of government ones, they argue.

Talks fail

Earlier, on 26 March, Sunday, the Rajasthan government held a meeting with a delegation of private hospital doctors on strike.

Government officials reportedly assured the doctors of a detailed discussion on their suggestions over the proposed law.

The protesting doctors, however, demanded the withdrawal of the bill which they claimed was 'unconstitutional' and will increase bureaucratic interference in the functioning of private hospitals.

The meeting was held on the instructions of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.

'Chief secretary Usha Sharma and other officers were present in the meeting. During the meeting, Sharma said the bill has been introduced to further strengthen the rights of the people of the state to their health. The chief secretary also assured the delegation of a detailed discussion on their suggestions,' a release said.

The secretary of the Private Hospital and Nursing Home Society, Dr Vijay Kapoor, however told reporters after the meeting that their demand for the withdrawal of the bill will continue.

'We told the officials that this bill is unconstitutional and only we will discuss the errors in it only after the bill is withdrawn,' he said, adding that a rally will be organised in Jaipur on Monday to protest against the bill.

'The officials asked the delegation to talk on every point of the bill... but the delegation said that any discussion will be possible only after it is withdrawn. For this, we want a written assurance. Until that happens, neither this movement will stop nor will there be further talks,' Dr Kapoor said.

Gehlot to go tough?

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot again appealed to the doctors to withdraw their strike, saying it is not in the public interest.

In view of the continuing protests however, the state government is reportedly considering strict action.

As per reports, the government has asked the Health department for complete information about private hospitals across the state for further action.

With inputs from PTI.