Right to Health (RTH)
What is it?
The Rajasthan Assembly passed the Right to Health (RTH), even as doctors continued their protest against the Bill, demanding its complete withdrawal.
It is a crucial element of the right to an adequate standard of living and is enshrined in international human rights law
a fundamental human right that guarantees everyone the right to enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
Scope of RTH
Eliminating barriers to healthcare access
Accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare services
Access to healthcare services, clean water and sanitation, adequate nutrition, healthy living and working conditions, health education, and disease prevention
Informed consent to medical treatment and accessing information about their health
Rajasthan's RTH Bill
Free emergency treatment
No delay in treatment
Wider scope of healthcare
State reimbursement of charges
Free treatment
Existing schemes
Chiranjeevi Health Insurance Scheme
Rajasthan Government Health Scheme
Nishulk Nirogi Rajasthan scheme
Free Test scheme
Need for the
RTH Scheme
Create moral obligation
Law will make sure that future governments follow it and provide free healthcare to everyone
Prioritizes healthcare above all
Admiration to be great example of good health
Controversy with
the RTH Law
It is obligatory for the healthcare institutions
Emergency treatment and care can be availed without prepayment of requisite fee or charges
Public or private health institutions qualified to provide such care or treatment according to their level of health care can offer emergency care
Emergency care was a contentious issue in the RTH.
Issues raised by
health professionals
Doctors are being compelled to treat patients outside their specialty as part of an emergency
Hospitals cannot insist on in-house medicines or tests
Burden of the existing schemes
Way forward
Revision of the Bill, incorporating feedback and suggestions from all stakeholders
Liaison between government, doctors, patient advocacy groups, and other relevant stakeholders
Greater efforts could be made to improve transparency and accountability in the healthcare system
All stakeholders to come to the table and engage in constructive dialogue