NHRC calls for upgrading healthcare facilities in the country; to constitute a
special group for recommendations on the issue of Silicosis
New Delhi, March 7, 2007
The NHRC Acting Chairperson Dr. Justice Shivaraj V. Patil has called for upgrading the existing healthcare facilities in the country. Speaking at the end of a review meeting on "Right to Health" in New Delhi yesterday, Justice Patil said that maximum benefits of healthcare could be utilized properly if the medical staff is able to dedicate time for the rural population of the country. He said for this, we have to create all infrastructure facilities at the village level so that there is no shortage of doctors in rural areas as doctors are reluctant to move to these areas. The Chairperson said once we are able to hold the doctors in the villages, the maximum benefits will reach the rural population.
Dr. Patil said that Medical Council of India and the Nursing Council of India should have a re-look and work out a methodology to recognize course for nursing practitioner. He stressed that having doctors will not be enough, we should also equip the primary health centers and community health centers with all available tools so that they don't have to rush to urban areas in the event of emergency.
Referring to the availability of drugs, Dr. Patil said that there is a need to have a proper drug procurement mechanism to ensure availability of essential drugs at the primary health centers. Citing the example of Tamil Nadu, he said good practices of one State should be taken as standard pattern and followed by others. On the issue of silicosis, the Chairperson said that the Commission is deeply concerned about this occupational hazard. He said NHRC would constitute a special group consisting of representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Labour, healthcare professionals, workers and non-governmental organizations to come out with recommendations for the purpose. He stressed on forging public-private partnership to maximize the benefits of healthcare facilities. Dr. Patil however stressed that such a move needs to be regulated and monitored. He also highlighted that the immunization programmes of the Health Department should be followed regularly so that childhood diseases are contained at the earliest. Referring to the user fee being levied by the hospitals, he said the Commission will come out with comprehensive recommendations on Right to Health and the issue will be looked into.
The daylong review meeting deliberated on a number of issues including immunization - with focus on pulse polio vaccination, availability of nurses, anesthetist and gynaecologists in the rural areas, silicosis and availability of anti-rabies vaccine.
Representatives from both the Government side and the NGOs like Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (JSA), from Rajasthan, UP, Chhatisgarh, Gujarat, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, M.P., Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharasthtra and Karnataka participated in the deliberations.
***
The NHRC Acting Chairperson Dr. Justice Shivaraj V. Patil has called for upgrading the existing healthcare facilities in the country. Speaking at the end of a review meeting on "Right to Health" in New Delhi yesterday, Justice Patil said that maximum benefits of healthcare could be utilized properly if the medical staff is able to dedicate time for the rural population of the country. He said for this, we have to create all infrastructure facilities at the village level so that there is no shortage of doctors in rural areas as doctors are reluctant to move to these areas. The Chairperson said once we are able to hold the doctors in the villages, the maximum benefits will reach the rural population.
Dr. Patil said that Medical Council of India and the Nursing Council of India should have a re-look and work out a methodology to recognize course for nursing practitioner. He stressed that having doctors will not be enough, we should also equip the primary health centers and community health centers with all available tools so that they don't have to rush to urban areas in the event of emergency.
Referring to the availability of drugs, Dr. Patil said that there is a need to have a proper drug procurement mechanism to ensure availability of essential drugs at the primary health centers. Citing the example of Tamil Nadu, he said good practices of one State should be taken as standard pattern and followed by others. On the issue of silicosis, the Chairperson said that the Commission is deeply concerned about this occupational hazard. He said NHRC would constitute a special group consisting of representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Labour, healthcare professionals, workers and non-governmental organizations to come out with recommendations for the purpose. He stressed on forging public-private partnership to maximize the benefits of healthcare facilities. Dr. Patil however stressed that such a move needs to be regulated and monitored. He also highlighted that the immunization programmes of the Health Department should be followed regularly so that childhood diseases are contained at the earliest. Referring to the user fee being levied by the hospitals, he said the Commission will come out with comprehensive recommendations on Right to Health and the issue will be looked into.
The daylong review meeting deliberated on a number of issues including immunization - with focus on pulse polio vaccination, availability of nurses, anesthetist and gynaecologists in the rural areas, silicosis and availability of anti-rabies vaccine.
Representatives from both the Government side and the NGOs like Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (JSA), from Rajasthan, UP, Chhatisgarh, Gujarat, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, M.P., Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharasthtra and Karnataka participated in the deliberations.
***