Kerala, which reputedly has the most modern and best quality healthcare in the country, faces the biggest challenge in ensuring the same to all sections of people, the Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said here on Wednesday.
Inaugurating the Global Healthcare Summit, Chandy said it was unacceptable in any society for individuals to be denied medical treatment for financial reasons. The State Government believes that the right to health is a fundamental right, he said.
“We have been consistently and persistently demanding that right to health be made a constitutionally guaranteed fundamental right across India, including placing on record this demand in the recently held National Development Council meeting,” he said.
While listing out the achievements of Kerala in the healthcare sector, the Chief Minister said that the State is facing challenges in maintaining these high standards, given the fiscal constraints.
Presiding over the function, Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi felt that unlike in the developed countries, India did not have a law to ensure the right to health.
“We have a friendly working atmosphere between the people and doctors in India and may be that is why people do not demand a law in this regard. I am not calling for a law either, but I want the medical fraternity to continue this cordial relationship,” he said.
Pointing out that prices of essential medicines was another major problem in India, he urged the doctors to keep this in mind while prescribing medicines and tests for the patients.
The conference is being organised by the Association of American Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), Global Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (GAPIO) and Indian Medical Association (IMA) in collaboration with the Union Ministries of Overseas Indian Affairs and Health.
Over 1000 national delegates and 380 international delegates, including 250 from the United States alone, are attending the conference aimed at developing and bringing cost-effective and innovative health solutions to India.