The early indications in the draft National Health Policy, 2015, are encouraging (“ >Centre moots health as a fundamental right ,” Jan.1). However, it must be noted that universal medical care is not the same as universal health care. Along with health, food, shelter and sanitation should get priority. I would also suggest the nationalisation of the entire medical education system, which includes nursing education and paramedical education.
Araveeti Rama Yogaiah,
Hyderabad
Including health as a fundamental right under the right to life is a benign step, but the government has to know its implications first. A top-down approach may not prove beneficial in this area as the NRHM is still not even realised and leaks are a regular part of policy function in India. This plan needs huge infrastructure investment with the establishment of more hospitals, Public Health Centres and medical colleges. India does need to look at the social sector, but the goals must be realised at the ground level.
Samarjit Mishra,
New Delhi
Making health a fundamental right will represent a landmark step. However, much hinges on the cost of infrastructure, given that current revenue structures project a shortfall between actuals and expectations. In this, an approach similar to the implementation of the Right to Education could be emulated, where schools have to follow a mandate to accommodate a certain set number of underprivileged students. Medical institutes should follow the same model.
Vikram Sundaramurthy,
Chennai
The right to a healthy life is a fundamental right and it is the duty of any government to provide affordable, accessible and quality health-care services to all. Public policy should focus on universal health coverage, sanitation, safe drinking water, nutrition, education and the dispensing of necessary drugs free of cost. This can be done by increasing budgetary support for infrastructure, reducing regional disparities, having a corruption-free environment, focussing on outcomes, enabling community participation, and decentralising health delivery services.
Shaveta Chandwani,
Rajpura, Punjab
