CURTAIN RAISER

NHRC's 'Western Region Public Hearing on Right to Healthcare' at Mumbai on 6th - 7th January, 2016 (04.1.2016)



New Delhi, 4th January, 2016

The National Human Rights Commission is holding a two-day 'Public Hearing on Right to Healthcare' for the States of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Goa and the Union Territories of Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli at Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Deonar, Mumbai on the 6th - 7th January, 2016. It is being organised in collaboration with the Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (JSA), a civil society network on health issues and the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The main objective of the Public Hearing is to hear complaints of human rights violations in the public and private healthcare services in the presence of concerned Centre and State Government functionaries and Jan Swasthya Abhiyan and to review key systemic and policy related issues in order to formulate recommendations to ensure protection of health rights of the people in the country.

On the opening day, 106 cases from the States of Maharashtra (56), Gujarat (30) and Rajasthan (20) shall be taken up for hearing in three benches to be presided over by Hon'ble Acting Chairperson, Mr. Justice Cyriac Joseph and Members, Mr. Justice D. Murugesan and Mr. S.C. Sinha.

The grievances raised in the complaints include non-availability of doctors/specialists/para-medical staff and basic facilities such as oxygen, x-ray etc. in District Hospitals, by doctors in Government Hospitals and denial of treatment and harassment of patients; no free supply of medicines in District Hospitals, CHCs and PHCs; denial of treatment to HIV+ patients.

Chief Secretaries, Health Secretaries and senior officers of the State Governments are likely to attend the Hearing. The victims will be assisted by Jan Swasthya Abhiyan to present their cases in the presence of State Authorities who have been asked by the Commission to remain present during hearing of the cases.

On the Second Day, the Commission will have interaction with the senior officers of the State Governments and officers from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and representatives of Jan Swasthya Abhiyan. Issues relating to denial of right to health service of people living with HIV, denial of health rights under ESI Scheme, denial of right to free healthcare under Charitable Trust Hospitals and denial of sonography service in public sector. Representatives of Jan Swasthya Abhiyan will present their case studies on these issues.

The two day Public Hearing will conclude on the 7th January, 2016 with a briefing for media persons from 02:15 p.m. to 02:45 p.m. at TISS, Mumbai.

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