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Which state became the first in India to implement the тАЩRight to HealthтАЩ Act?
Kerala
Rajasthan
Tamil Nadu
Punjab
Rajasthan
Rajasthan became the first Indian state to enact the Right to Health Act in March 2023.
The Rajasthan Right to Health Act was enacted to provide every resident of the state the right to avail free outpatient and inpatient services at all public health facilities. It aims to ensure universal access to healthcare by mandating that government and designated private hospitals provide emergency treatment without upfront payments. This legislative move was significant for prioritizing healthcare as a justiciable right rather than just a policy goal, though it faced intense debate regarding the role of private healthcare providers in public service delivery.
The right to health is implicitly covered under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty. The Supreme Court of India has consistently interpreted this article to include the right to health as an essential component of a life of dignity.
Date of enactment: March 21, 2023
State: Rajasthan
Primary objective: Universal access to free healthcare services
Provision: Emergency care to be provided without advance payment at public and private hospitals
B is correct тАФ Rajasthan became the first state in India to pass the Right to Health Act on March 21, 2023, to ensure medical care for its residents.
Remember that Rajasthan is the pioneer of 'Right to Health' legislation, just as it was historically the first state to implement Panchayati Raj in 1959.