In this blog we understand the right to health & also we understand why it is in news. 

SC Order: Right to Health

The right to health is not explicitly mentioned in the Indian Constitution as a fundamental right, but it has been interpreted and recognized as a fundamental right by the Supreme Court of India.

The Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed the right to health as an integral part of the right to life under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty. The Court has held that the right to health includes the right to access health care services, medicines, and basic sanitation, and that the government has a duty to ensure the provision of these services to all citizens.

In several landmark judgments, the Supreme Court has emphasized the importance of the right to health and has directed the government to take measures to improve the health infrastructure and services in the country. Some of these judgments include:

High quality health research. 

• Consumer Education and Research Centre v. Union of India (1995): The Supreme Court held that the right to health is a fundamental right and directed the government to take steps to provide essential drugs at affordable prices.

Essential Drugs & Services. 

• Paschim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samity v. State of West Bengal (1996): The Court held that the right to health includes the right to a pollution-free environment and directed the government to take steps to prevent pollution.

State of Punjab v. Mohinder Singh Chawla (1997): The Court held that the right to health includes the right to emergency medical care and directed the government to provide emergency medical services to all citizens.

Right to Health 

Overall, the Supreme Court has played a crucial role in recognizing and protecting the right to health in India, and has directed the government to take steps to ensure that this right is upheld.

Why it's in news?

Private hospitals and nursing homes in Rajasthan have suspended their services in protest against the state government's proposed Right to Health Bill. The bill, which aims to ensure that private hospitals cannot deny free treatment in case of an emergency, has been opposed by private doctors who argue that they have not been consulted on its provisions.

The doctors have expressed concerns about the lack of clarity around what constitutes an emergency and who will provide the necessary funds for free treatment. Out of 1,100 private hospitals in Rajasthan, approximately 888 hospitals have registered for free treatment under the Chiranjeevi Yojana, a scheme that extends affordable health insurance packages to the financially weaker sections of society. The doctors have decided to boycott the government's RGHS and Chiranjeevi Yojana as part of their protest.

Demonstrations have been held across the state, with doctors and private hospital representatives calling for the withdrawal of the bill. They argue that there is no need for the Right to Health Bill in Rajasthan as people are already receiving free treatment and medicines. The protests have intensified, with the Joint Action Committee (JAC) spearheading the protest and threatening to strengthen and sustain the movement if the government does not withdraw the bill.

The bill was introduced in the last assembly session in September and was sent to the Select Committee for further consideration. However, the doctors have stated that they do not accept the bill and have called for their opinions to be taken into account before it is presented in the Legislative Assembly.