Victims of medical malpractice, doctors, health rights activists and concerned citizens from across India took part in a protest demonstration at Jantar Mantar on 26 February in Delhi to demand that the Union government adopt the Charter for Patients’ Rights.  “More than 10 states across the country are supporting this charter,” says Abhay Shukla, a member of the Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (JSA), a network of public health activists.

Picture by: Shrey Gupta

A woman holds up a card that reads, “Private hospitals must be held accountable and stop charging exorbitant fees.” One of the demands by activists is that private hospitals must be made affordable and a patient friendly grievance redress mechanism be created.

Picture by: Shrey Gupta

Shreya Nimonkar has been fighting for patients’ rights for the last eight years. “I was talked into having a hysterectomy by the doctors. They damaged both my kidneys. Now I have to go to the bathroom every two and a half hours,” she says. Nimonkar is the face of the fight against medical malpractice in Maharashtra.

Picture by: Shrey Gupta

Girls from Gargi College perform a street play, Halaat 21, at the protest  rally to raise awareness of medical negligence in private sector hospitals.

Picture by: Shrey Gupta

“The government should adopt the Charter for Patients’ Rights. It is imperative for the proper functioning of the Clinical Establishments Act,” says Abhay Shukla. The rally was organised by JSA along with All India Patients’ Rights Group, Mahila Pragati Manch, People for Better Treatment, National Campaign for Right to Public Health and The Delhi Network of Positive People.

Picture by: Shrey Gupta