The Jharkhand government may have decided to table the Medical Protection Bill in the coming monsoon session of the Assembly, but not everyone seems to be entirely satisfied that its provisions would also take care of patients' rights and grievances as has been promised by state health minister Banna Gupta.
On Sunday, Jan Swastha Abhiyan Sangharsh Morcha (JSASM), a Left backed social outfit working in the field of community health, announced plans to burn copies of the draft Bill at Albert Ekka Chowk on Monday, as amark of protest. A few independent health activists are also against the Bill, claiming it is intended to safeguard the interest of private hospitals more than the welfare of doctors and common people.
Morcha officer-bearer Bhuvneshwar Kewat said, “We strongly oppose this Bill and have decided to fight against it tooth and nail. We will burn copies of the draft bill on August 23 at Albert Ekka Chowk at 3pm. It is evident the state government is inclined towards securing the interests of private players/hospitals more than patients.”
On Saturday, health minister Gupta okayed the final draft of the Medical Protection Bill and said it was likely to be tabled in the monsoon session of the state assembly scheduled from September 3 to September 9. Officials in his ministry claimed the Bill, a long pending demand of the state chapter of the Indian Medical Association, was not only to ensure the safety of doctors but also takes care of patient rights.
Another official of the morcha, Nadeem Khan demanded the government work towards a patients' protection bill. "“Why do we want a medical protection Bill in the first place? There are already several laws under different sections of IPC and other Acts which safeguard any entity and persons associated with it," he said.
Agreed activist Atul Gera, who is works to promote blood donation. “No problem in this @BannaGupta76 ji. Will you also bring Patient Protection Bill? Do you know how patients have become victims of the money minded health system @HemantSorenJMM ji. Are we safeguarding the patients and their rights? @mansukhmandviya @roysaryu @malini_aisola,"he tweeted.