Make right to health a fundamental right, says NHRC Chairperson

The National Human Rights Commission organised a National Conference on 'Healthcare as a Human Right' in New Delhi from the 5th-6th November, 2013. Several suggestions emerged during the discussions to improve the healthcare system in the country. Addressing the conference, Justice Shri K.G. Balakrishnan, Chairperson, NHRC, echoing the sentiments of various experts, said that making right to health, a fundamental right would be an important way forward in improving the overall health services scenario and providing universal healthcare in the country. He said that the success of public health system lies in easy accessibility, availability and affordability of treatment and it is the responsibility of State to ensure comprehensive healthcare facilities for all.
He said that malnutrition, particularly in children and women, quality of medical care and drugs, shortage of funds, doctors and para-medical staff, improvement in medical education system to make it more need-based were among various issues, which required attention in the health sector. Some of the States have implemented cost-effective methods in healthcare, which should be replicated as a model throughout the country.
Shri Kesav Desiraju, Union Health Secretary said that if the accessibility of health services is ensured, there may not be any need of a legislation for right to health. He said that suggestion on registration of births and deaths in all States would ensure better policy direction. The importance of the suggestion to serve hot cooked food to all women during pregnancy and six months after childbirth cannot be undermined, but it should not be sought to be served through Anganwadis going by the poor experience of ICDS.
Earlier, during the deliberations, Shri Manoj Jhalani, Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare accepted that public health spending, which is at present at 1.2 per cent of GDP needed to be improved as more than 70 per cent expenditure on treatment and medicine was borne by individuals. The National Rural Health Mission is a step in that direction. Renowned Cardio-surgeon, Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty of Narayana Hrudalaya Hospital, Bangaluru said that the management of healthcare system was more important than the finances. All over the world, unlike in India, persons who provide initial healthcare at Primary Health Centres are not MBBS doctors. There cannot be post-graduate level doctors to man all the Primary Healthcare Centres. Nursing was also needed to be made more attractive as a career option.
During the deliberation, it was felt that availability, accessibility, quality and affordability of healthcare services could be achieved through better management. Some of the other important suggestions, included, integration and convergence of State and Central child and maternal health schemes, providing potable water and promoting hygiene and sanitation through policy and awareness, removal of distinction between APL and BPL for access to healthcare, medical care facility to the rescued bonded labourers and those exposed to occupational health hazards, appointment of Health Ombudsperson in every district to ensure accountability of health services, augmentation and production of generic drugs, OPD/IPD access to all common diagnostic tests, removal of two child norm as a incentive /disincentive for all policies and protection of existing water bodies.
Several prominent speakers addressed the conference, who included, among others, NHRC Members, Shri Justice Cyriac Joseph, Shri Justice D. Murugesan, Shri Satyabrata Pal and Shri Sharad Chandra Sinha, Dr. H. Sudarshan, Member NHRC Core Advisory Group on Health, Shri Satyabrata Sahu, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation and Shri J.S. Kochher, Joint Secretary, NHRC. Health experts, representatives of Central and State Governments, civil society, NHRC's Special Rapporteurs and senior officers also participated in the discussions.