New Delhi: Today over Thousands of patients, their family members and health activists from six major networks gathered at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi to launch a unique protest.
These ‘medical victims’ and activists from Delhi and several other states were demanding that malpractices, gross overcharging and violation of patients’ rights in private hospitals must be
brought to an end. The participants shared their heart-rending stories of rampant profiteering, unaccountability and exploitation of ordinary patients which prevails in most private hospitals across India.
Representatives of Jan Swasthya Abhiyan, All India Patients
Rights Group, Mahila Pragati Manch, People for Better Treatment, National Campaign for Right to Public Health, and Delhi Network of Positive People (DNP+) addressed the gathering and pledged to launch a nationwide campaign to uphold patients’ rights and stop exploitative
practices in private hospitals.
Speaking to Ten News, Campaign Spokesperson Advocate Gagan said,
“We want Immediate implementation of National Human Rights Commission’s Charter for Patient Rights, to be done by Union Health Ministry . Regulation of rates in private hospitals care in private hospitals should be made affordable.”
During the demonstration, victims of medical malpractices from various states narrated their harrowing experiences in private hospitals, which are now being documented systematically and compiled, to be published as a book. Students from Delhi University performed a play to highlight the widespread medical corruption, linked with lack of accountability of the private
health sector.
