------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to the FRIDAY BALCAO Read the Balcao Synopsis on the website http://www.goadesc.org/balcao/ -------------------------------------------------------
Dear Cybergaokars on GoaNet,
To observe World Health Day, Friday Balcao the fortnightly discussion event to be held on 8th April will focus on the Right to Health Care in the context of Goa
Access to good quality health care is not only a human need, a right of citizenship and a public good, but it is also a pre-requisite of good health. While creating conditions for fulfillment of the 'Right to Health' would be the ultimate aim, establishing the Right to Health Care could be a first step.
While the country continues to score poorly in health indicators, it is faced with new challenges in the form of Globalization, Liberalization and Privatization. The public health care sector is significantly affected by these developments. User fees in government hospitals, sale of public health care facilities to private providers, talk of health tourism in the National Health Policy, all seem to suggest that health care is a commodity to be bought, and a source to generate revenue, rather than a welfare provision.
This policy is also translating into reduced allocations for public health, frozen recruitment of essential staff and reduction in drugs and equipment to the public health sector. In this scenario it is imperative that health and health care be looked upon as human rights issues and efforts made for universal access to these.
The right to health care would involve the right to basic health care, regular supply of rational and essential drugs according to the WHO list to all public health care units, emergency health care, enforcing minimal physical and clinical standards in public and private hospitals, enforcing standards in staffing pattern in public and private hospitals and state responsibility that doctors serve in rural areas.
What then does Right to Health Care mean in the context of Goa ? Are the Primary Health Centres mean't only for migrant labour in urban areas ? Are the health care facilities at the District Hospitals like Asilo in Mapusa and Hospicio in Margao adequate for regular patients ? Should the Directorate of Health Services(DHS) shift its focus to life style diseases? Must health care facilities and cost of treatment in private hospitals be monitored ?
The Balcao discussion will cover these questions and and also evolve an agenda for action by citizens on the issue.
Friday Balcao will be from 4pm to 6pm at the Goa Desc Resource Centre No.11 Liberty Apartments Feira Alta, Mapusa and is open to members of the public.
Those citizens who would like to receive the regular invitation to Friday Balcao and a one page synopsis of the fortnightly session can subscribe for the same by sending Rs.100/- to cover printing and mailing costs.
Interested citizens wanting more information on Friday Balcao can phone on 2252660 or by email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
best wishes,
Roland Martins ======================================= GOA DESC RESOURCE CENTRE Documentation + Education + Solidarity 11 Liberty Apts., Feira Alta, Mapusa, Goa 403 507 Tel: 2252660 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] website: www.goadesc.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Working On Issues Of Development & Democracy =======================================