Health problems posed by environmental pollution and inadequacies in providing mental health care were highlighted at the Second Regional Public Hearing on Access to Health Care organized by the Commission in partnership with the Jan Swasthya Abhiyan at Chennai on 29 August 2004.

Over hundred individual cases of denial of health care by victims, many of whom belong to the poorer sections of the society, health problems related to pollution from the Hindustan Insecticides Limited and other factories in Kerala, pesticide exposure of cashew factory workers in Kerala, mercury pollution by Hindustan Lever in Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu were presented at the hearing. In addition, there were State-wise presentations on the status of health and heath services in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Pondicherry before a panel consisting of senior officials of the National Human Rights Commission, health officials of these states and representatives of the Jan Swasthya Abhiyan.
Justice Shri Y. Bhaskar Rao, Member, NHRC in his inaugural address stressed on the need for greater accountability of the health care delivery system and controlling corruption in the hospitals through the creation of Vigilance Departments. In addition, he suggested that appropriate information could be provided in regional language to the general public on the mechanisms available for reporting corrupt practices. He emphasized that it should be prominently displayed in all hospitals to make the people aware that demanding money from patients and attendants is illegal and that no money is required to be paid.
Senior officials from the Health Departments of Southern states participated in the hearing and a number of individual cases were redressed on the spot with the officials present offering to take speedy and corrective action on the complaints.
This is the second such Hearing in the series of five Regional Public Hearings on Access to Health Care Delivery System proposed to be conducted by the Commission in various regions of the country, which will culminate in a two-day long National Public Hearing in Delhi in December 2004.