People’s Health Matters: Jan Arogya Abhiyan Calls for Systemic Changes in Maharashtra
Amit Singh & Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 17th February 2024: The Jan Arogya Abhiyan, in response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and incidents like the Nanded tragedy, has unanimously passed a resolution urging the implementation of the ‘Health Care Rights Act’ in Maharashtra. This resolution was adopted during the state-wide Health Rights Parliament held to address the urgent need for improved healthcare.
The Jan Arogya Abhiyan conducted 8 Health Rights Conferences across districts between October 2023 and February 2024, leading to the formulation of a manifesto for public health rights. The declaration was unveiled at the Health Rights Parliament, where issues from the manifesto were discussed with political party representatives in light of the upcoming 2024 elections.
A comprehensive 10-part report card on the state’s health status was presented to the public. The report card, highlighting the state’s health challenges, was presented by key figures, including Bharat Jodo Abhiyaan State Coordinator Ulka Mahajan, Congress Party State Spokesperson Sachin Sawant, Communist Party of India’s Lata Bhise, Prashant Jagtap from Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Chandra Pawar), Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi Manifesto Committee Chief Priyadarshi Telang, Aam Aadmi Party State Executive president Ajit Phatake, Jan Swastha Abhiyan National Coordinator Dr Abhay Shukla, Dr Anant Phadke were present.
During the presentation, Dr. Abhay Shukla emphasized the failure of the central government in addressing health issues over the last decade. He presented the 10-point health manifesto as an opportunity for radical change and urged political parties to prioritize health in their agendas for the 2024 elections.
Key figures from various political parties, including Priyadarshini Telang, Prashant Jagtap, Ajit Phadke, and others, expressed their commitment to address health issues in their respective party manifestos.
The Jan Arogya Abhiyan’s Ulka Mahajan stressed the need for people’s participation to implement the manifesto, holding the government accountable for its failures in health, education, and employment. Marxist Communist Party’s Karad emphasized collective efforts to disseminate the Jan Arogya Abhiyaan’s Dasasutra to the masses.
The Health Rights Parliament concluded with a call for collaboration between social movements and political parties to address health issues collectively.
The Tenets of the Right to Health:
1. Legal right to healthcare with guaranteed free, quality service in government clinics and hospitals.
2. A two to two-and-a-half times increase in the healthcare budget.
3. Corruption-free, accountable, and participatory health system.
4. Regularization of contract workers, fair wages, conducive working environment, and a Health Manpower Policy.
5. Free and guaranteed provision of all necessary medicines in government health services.
6. Respectful service for everyone with special attention to those with special needs.
7. Improved health initiatives for disease prevention, particularly for specific diseases.
8. Protection of patients’ rights, cancellation of privatization policy, and closure of private hospitals as deemed arbitrary.
9. Development of a ‘universal health care’ system, allowing free treatment in regulated private hospitals alongside government services.
10. Multi-dimensional initiatives to reduce illnesses and promote overall health for all.
