-PTI Taking a tough stand, West Bengal government today said it would be compelled to appoint doctors from other states if the state's own doctors continued to refuse to join the rural health services. Determined to shore up the health infrastructure in the state, the government warned that appointment given to those selected for the state health services would be scrapped if they fail to join before December 11. Director of...

In the absence of a specific law defining the rights of patients, consumers in India face a host of problems when it comes to healthcare. They often do not get adequate information about their illness or the treatment. In fact, there is very little recognition of the patients’ right to information or choice and this can also be seen in the way consent forms are obtained from patients for medical...

After so many wrongs, the Planning Commission may have just got it right. According to leaked accounts, its universal health coverage proposal may become reality as early as the next five-year Plan. Once this policy is in place, India can legitimately enter the club of welfare states through the front door. Now, at last, it has a scheme that is truly inclusive for it includes us all. When implemented, this measure...

-The Times of India    RTI activist Poonam Solanki, 38, who is also convenor of the BJP human rights cell of Daskroi taluka, was brutally attacked by Popat Solanki, sarpach of Bakrol village and chairman of the local Sewa Sahkari co-operative on Friday. Solanki, who suffered multiple fractures and head injury, went into coma after the attack and was shifted to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital for treatment. Later, he gained consciousness. A police...

Srilakshmi, the first woman IAS officer held on graft charges, wanted to continue as the CBI’s guest at a heritage mansion but was packed off to prison. The 52-year-old, whose three-day CBI remand had ended today, pleaded with the court to let her stay on at the CBI camp office in the palatial, Nizam-era Dilkhusha guesthouse. The court refused and the 1988 IAS topper was almost in tears as she arrived...