Provide free medical service: Healthcare providers

Mumbai: The Alliance for Defence of Health Services and Rights is demanding free medical services all over Maharashtra, beginning with Vidarbha and Marathwada, both badly hit by drought. The alliance Tuesday got an assurance from the MOS health that the decision would be taken after a meeting between the health minister and finance minister.

Abhijeet More, who is associated with the alliance and is also the co-convener of Jan Aarogya Abhiyan said, “Due to drought, people from rural Maharashtra are suffering a lot. Especially farmers have no money to eat. How will they pay healthcare fees if they do not have anything. In the last few years, fees for health services have increased. Like other provisions, the state government must provide free health services.”

The government has been providing water tankers to the drought hit people, fodder camps, and shelters in drought-affected areas. Recently, the CM announced that fodder camps for cattle will be open till June end.

A delegation from the alliance met the MOS health Tuesday at Mantralaya to discuss various issues. According to the delegation, Mr Deshmukh assured them that he would put forth their demand for free medical services at government-run hospitals. The decision will be taken after a meeting between the health minister and finance minister.

“We are demanding it for the whole of Mahar-ashtra. The government must immediately implement this in the Marathwada and Vidar-bha region on priority basis,” said Mr More. He also pointed out that people were paying various taxes so they have a right to get medical facilities free of cost.”