Karnataka State Legal Services Authority has decided to set up a string of medico-legal clinics to help people complaining of negligence meted out by doctors. The medico-legal clinics will help patients to right treatment at right time, according to V Gopal Gowda, chairman, Karnataka State Legal Services Authority.

The state government's decision comes in the wake of serious displeasure expressed by Jaanaarogya Andolana Karnataka (JAAK), a non-governmental organization for right to health, over the attitude of healthcare professionals at the Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in the State.

JAAK had provided testimonials along with a video coverage showing denial of maternal care to a HIV positive women, discrimination against HIV positive patients in the PHCs and how the golden hour is lost because of negligence by doctors who delay in attending to a critical patient. The incident took place at Nakundi village in Mavi taluk, Raichur district in north Karnataka showed how rural people from backward districts were denied immediate medical attention.

The video and the testimonials of JAAK were brought to the notice of the officials including Madan Gopal, secretary Karnataka department of health and family and PN Sreenivasachar, health commissioner, government of Karnataka along with other senior officials of the directorate of health and family welfare.

Other demands of JAAK included ensuring effective functioning of the primary health centres, availability of drugs in all the centres, stop the corruption practices and discrimination at the health centres.

The health department officials have now admitted to the lacunae in the system stated the JAAK officials. They also started that there was a serious shortage of specialist doctors in the government hospitals and which is a cause for concern. There has been considerable amount of reluctance on the part of the doctors to serve in the rural areas and now we need to ensure that this shortfall is corrected.

"The system has to be changed. There are enough provisions under the law to keep the system on the track. Compared to other states Karnataka was way ahead in the area of healthcare because of the availability of infrastructure. However, it is vital to make available the existing health centres functions in an efficient manner. We are working to ensure that changes in the public health system are brought about at the earliest," health secretary told Pharmabiz.

The Arogya Raksha Committees should function as informed and empowered entities. These committees should not just focus on managing the finances but must also ensure that the funds are utilized to the fullest benefit, said Gopal.

According to Gowda, there is need to strengthen advocacy for the health rights of all especially the below the poverty line patients.