Rajasthan Doctors Call off Strike on RTH Bill after Govt agreement

Jaipur: Putting an end to the ongoing feud between doctors and the State Government of Rajasthan regarding the implementation of Right to Health Bill, the State has now agreed to the demands by the protesting doctors regarding the rules under recently passed bills.

With the new agreement between the State and the doctors, the strike by the private doctors in Rajasthan in the form of a complete medical shutdown has been called off.

According to the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the State Government and the associations of private doctors including the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Private Hospitals And Nursing Homes Society (PHNHS), United Private Clinics & Hospitals Association of Rajasthan (UPCHAR), the State has agreed to the following terms:

The State has already excluded less than 50 bedded private multi speciality hospitals from RTH, and private hospitals established without taking any facilities from the government in form of land and building at subsidised rate shall also be excluded from RTH Act.

With these modifications, the RTH Act will cover- private medical college hospitals, hospitals established on PPP mode, hospitals established after taking land from the government free of cost or on subsidised rates and hospitals run by trusts (those funded by government in form of land and building).

Apart from this, the memorandum also mentioned that regularisation of hospitals constructed at various places in Rajasthan will be considered on kota model. 

Besides, the State has also assured the protesting doctors that police cases and other cases registered during agitation shall be withdrawn and for any further change in rules the government will first consult with two representatives of IMA.

This comes after the protesting doctors had given a call for a Maha Rally on Monday. The national office bearers of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) had also given a call for National Solidarity Day on April 4, 2023 and asked all the State IMA representatives to join the Maha Rally in Jaipur.

Now, the State and the protesting doctors have come to an understanding and sharing the copy of MoU, IMA HQ mentioned in a Tweet, "Landmark Victory for #IMA. Private Sector exempted from RTH Act. We congratulate IMA Rajasthan & all branches . Salutes to Medical Unity."

"We congratulate every voice, every slogan, Every soul who braved the horrendous lathis, Every body who stood against the water cannons, Every doctor who fought for his right, and rose up to the occasion! Every contribution mattered in the end. Doctors’ unity wins!," mentioned a Tweet by the Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA).

The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) mentioned in a Tweet, "Huge Victory For Medical Fraternity! Very Genuine agreement happened between Doctors & @RajGovOfficial without being problematic for doctors or Patients !"

The doctors belonging to private hospitals in Rajasthan had  been protesting against the proposed "Right to Health" bill for the last few months. While the Bill was proposed by the Rajasthan Government to ensure that the residents of the State can avail treatment at any hospital, it made the medical fraternity in the State furious as they termed it to be draconian and illogical. Several Clauses of the bill have been pointed out by the doctors under Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes Society (PHNHS) and Jaipur Medical Association as they claimed that it lacks clarity and wants to delimit the powers of doctors.

Also Read: Right to Health Bill protest escalates: IMA calls for National Bandh