Having lived in Delhi off and on for almost three decades, I feel robust healthcare is the most important need for the city. Illness in the family brings one of the most traumatic times and the monetary requirement is urgent and usually beyond the means of most people. Available statistics show that the number of beds in hospitals and nursing homes in Delhi is far below the WHO norms of five beds per 1,000 population. During the recent out-break of swine flu, one could see two patients lying on the same bed and on the floor.
There is a specific requirement to develop healthcare for pregnant women, newborn babies and for elderly people. The most traumatic situation is when one is asked to deposit an amount beyond capacity at the time of admission. I faced this problem when my first daughter was born and the delivery was done in a government hospital. She developed physiological jaundice and was required to be shifted to the nursery of a private hospital. I was asked to deposit Rs 10,000, which I did not have. This is only an illustrative incident and I am sure most of the readers must have gone through the same trauma in their lives.
‘Right to healthcare’ needs to be given legal backing.
(The writer is a Special Commissioner of Delhi Police. The views expressed are personal.)