Congress's health vision is the right step in the right direction : JSA Member

The health vision of the Congress in the election manifesto was given a thumbs-up by the health fraternity in India. The party also ensures to enact Right to Healthcare. The manifesto said that total government expenditure on health care will be doubled to 3 percent of GDP by the year 2023-24.

New Delhi: The health fraternity in India on Thursday has welcomed the health vision of the Congress, described in its election manifesto.

"The Health vision as described in the manifesto is a right step in the right direction. Though there are some issues like how will they get the money, It is quite interesting that the health insurance model will be revised," said Gargeya Telakapalli, a member of the Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (JSA).

The JSA forms the Indian regional circle of the global People's Health Movement (PHM). At present, it is the major national platform that coordinates activities and actions on health and healthcare across the country.

"The manifesto has rightly pointed that money will be spent in strengthening the health sector. There is a need to invest the money in the public sector and not in the private sector," said Telakapalli highlighting the Congress election manifesto.

The manifesto said that the total government expenditure on health care will be doubled to 3 per cent of GDP by the year 2023-24. The party also ensures to enact the Right to Healthcare Act that will guarantee to every citizen the right to Healthcare services including the diagnostics.

In fact, the JSA has also prepared its own health manifesto and circulated amongst the political parties so that they can include in their manifesto.

The JSA express the need to confront the commercialization of health care while establishing minimum standards and rational treatment guidelines for health care.