Social Scientist Jean Dreze Calls For Healthcare Law To Strengthen Health Services In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Well-known social scientist and activist Prof Jean Dreze called for a law on healthcare to strengthen public health services in Odisha.

Speaking at a round table discussion, organised by Odisha Khadya Adhikar Abhijan and Jan Swasthya Abhiyan on the state of health services in the state, in Bhubaneswar on Sturay, Prof Dreze said most developed countries and many developing ones have ensured national health service primarily through public health systems and social insurance funded by public taxation or a single insurance company. These countries have a primary healthcare system primarily run by the public sector or non-profit organisations.

“In India, relying on the national health service is difficult due to the powerful private sector and social insurance alone is not sufficient. Implementing a healthcare Act can set standards and increase the strength of the public health sector, leading to increased utilisation over time,” he added.

He further said it was essential to provide support to sick people and everyone has the right to quality healthcare and treatment which is core tenent of right to health anywhere. He urged the activists and public health professionals to draft a Right to Health Care Act and advocate with different political parties in the state.

Prof Dreze felt that it was the opportune time to initiate the advocacy efforts looking at general and state Assembly elections after a few months.

During discussion, various patient rights groups working with people suffering from kidney, HIV. leprosy, cancer highlighted the plight of patients with respect to public and private health care system. Public health activists and doctors highlighted various public health interventions and the scope for improving public health system in the state.

Gauranga Mohapatra of Jana Swasthya Abhiyan spoke on the current state of the public health system in the state and highlighted areas for improvement such as the shortage of doctors and paramedics, lack of implementation of the Clinical Establishment Act, major government health schemes and programmes. Community forums representing leprosy, TB, and kidney patients also shared their daily struggles during the discussion.

The main objective of the discussion was to deliberate on the current public health system in the state and identify areas for improvement with the input and insights from civil society organisations, professionals and practitioners in Odisha.

The programme was organised in collaboration with CYSD and Rupayaan. Jagadananda, founder member of CYSD, moderated the sessions.