In a first, Assam to guarantee right to health

[Guest guest]

[Perhaps, Assam also should take lead in establishing state specific CCM (sub

CCM) to submit a proposal to the next round of the Global Fund call for

proposal. Editor]

In a first, Assam to guarantee right to health

TNN, Mar 12, 2010, 01.53am IST

GUWAHATI: A quiet revolution to create a healthier India has kicked off in the

east with Assam on Thursday becoming the first state in the country to introduce

a bill guaranteeing the right to health and well-being.

Responding to an appeal from the Centre for legislating on health rights, the

state government tabled the landmark Assam Public Health Bill, 2010, in the

assembly. The bill, which will be put to vote on March 31 and should sail

through, proposes path-breaking provisions for health equity and justice to

achieve the goal of health for all.

It makes it mandatory for all new development projects to carry out a health

impact assessment. It also proposes to make it compulsory for both government

and private hospitals to provide free healthcare services and maintain

appropriate protocol of treatment for the first 24 hours to an emergency

patient.

" Health does not mean just doctors and hospitals, but everything that influences

the well-being of a human being. This is a historic bill and we are the pioneers

in the country after the Centre requested all states to bring a law on the right

to health, " said Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

After tabling the bill, Sarma said that the statute sought to bind the state

health and family welfare department legally to meet its obligations —

coordination with other departments concerned and providing people with minimum

nutritionally adequate essential food, adequate supply of safe drinking water,

sanitation through appropriate and effective sewage and drainage systems and

access to basic housing facilities.

Sarma added that the bill provides for the health and family welfare department

to take appropriate legal steps for fixing responsibility and accountability of

departments and agencies concerned in case of repeated outbreaks or recurrence

of communicable, viral and water-borne diseases, which are found in a particular

area and proved to have taken place because of the failure to improve sanitation

and safe drinking water facilities.

" Every citizen will have the right to health. In case government hospitals fail

to provide medical care because of absence of doctors, the patient will be

entitled to remedial measures to be prescribed by the department,'' he said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/In-a-first-Assam-to-guarantee-right-to-\

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