Rahul promises Rajasthan model healthcare scheme across country if voted to power in 2024
The Hindu
Rahm Gandhi hails Rajasthan's healthcare prog. for poor; says if Cong. wins 2024 LS polls, similar initiatives will be rolled out nationwide. He noted disparity in access to quality healthcare, stressing need for reevaluation of healthcare at nat'l level.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on November 30 hailed the healthcare programme for the poor initiated by the Rajasthan government, saying if the party secures power at the Centre post the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, similar initiatives will be rolled out nationwide.
Mr. Gandhi highlighted the disparity in healthcare access, noting that those with financial means can access quality treatment in big hospitals, while those lacking financial resources face significant challenges when dealing with illnesses like cancer or heart disease.
Addressing the audience after the inauguration of a new block at a private hospital in Sulthan Bathery, located within his Lok Sabha constituency, Wayanad, the Congress leader said that the biggest victims of medical tragedies are often poor people and stressed the need for a reevaluation of healthcare at the national level.
"I travel around India quite a lot and I notice that the biggest victims of medical tragedies are poor people. Because if you have money you can always get treatment in a good hospital," the Wayanad MP said.
He said having financial means allows access to quality treatment in big hospitals, but for those lacking resources, facing illnesses like cancer or heart disease can essentially bring their lives to a halt.
"...If you have money, you can always get treatment in a good hospital, you can always go to a fancy hospital and get treatment but if you are poor and you get cancer or a relative gets cancer or you get heart disease or your relative gets heart disease, then you really basically your life is over," the former Congress chief said.
He said that the Union Government should prioritise providing affordable healthcare to the poor as a fundamental guarantee to its people.
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