Correct Answer :   Rajasthan

Rajasthan, on Tuesday (21st Mar 2023), became the first-ever state to pass the Right to Health Bill in Assembly which now gives every resident of the state a right to avail free Out Patient Department (OPD) services and In Patient Department (IPD) services at all the public healthcare facilities. Additionally, similar healthcare services in this would be provided free of cost at select private facilities.

* The bill was passed despite protests by BJP and a section of doctors – while the former stated that wanted to introduce change to the provisions, the latter demanded withdrawal of the legislation.

* As per the Bill, free healthcare services including diagnostics, drugs, emergency transport, emergency care and procedure will be provided at the public institutions and select private facilities subject to conditions which will be formulated now.

* All citizens of the state will be entitled to emergency and accidental emergency care free of cost.

* In case of medico-legal nature, no private or public hospital can delay treatment on grounds of police clearance.

* The legislation also stated that after emergency care, transfer of patient and stabilisation, the healthcare provider would be entitled to a requisite free and charges or proper reimbursement from the government if the patient does not pay requisite charges.

* The law now adds to the 20 rights given the residents of Rajasthan.

* As per the state government, the Bill intends to, “provide protection and fulfilment of rights and equity in health and well-being under Article 47 (Duty of the state to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health) of Constitution of India and to secure the Right to Health as per the expanded definition of Article 21 (Protection of life and personal liberty)”...

Source : Times Now News