Rajasthan on March 21 became the first state to pass in Assembly the Right to Health Bill, which gives every resident of the state the right to avail free Out Patient Department (OPD) services and In Patient Department (IPD) services at all public health facilities.
- Also, similar healthcare services will be provided free of cost at select private facilities.
Key points
The law extends a total of 20 rights to the residents of the state.
- According to the government, the Bill intends to provide protection and fulfilment of rights and equity in health and well-being under Article 47 (Duty of the state to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health) of Constitution of India and to secure the Right to Health as per the expanded definition of Article 21 (Protection of life and personal liberty)”
- According to the Bill, free healthcare services, including consultation, drugs, diagnostics, emergency transport, procedure and emergency care, will be provided at all public health institutions and select private facilities subject to conditions specified in the rules, which will be formulated now.
- Also, all residents will be entitled to emergency treatment and care for accidental emergency without prepayment of any fee or charges.
- In a case of medico-legal nature, no public or private hospital can delay treatment merely on the grounds of receiving police clearance.
- The legislation also says that after emergency care, stabilisation and transfer of patient, if patient does not pay requisite charges, the healthcare provider shall be entitled to receive requisite fee and charges or proper reimbursement from the state government.
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