Published Feb 18, 2026 | 11:23 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 18, 2026 | 11:23 PM
Representative image. Credit: iStock
Synopsis: Health activists and communities across Karnataka concluded the Right to Health Jatha on 17 February in Bengaluru after covering 31 districts. Led by public health groups, the mobilisation pressed for free medicines, regulation of private costs, and halting hospital privatisation. Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao assured progress on a proposed Right to Health Act.
For over two weeks, health activists, workers, and community members travelled across Karnataka demanding one clear promise: healthcare must be a right, not a privilege.
The Right to Health Jatha, held from 2 to 17 February across 31 districts, ended in Bengaluru with renewed assurances from the state government.
The mobilisation, led by the Drug Action Forum–Karnataka and Sarvatrika Arogya Andolana along with several partner groups, brought forward stories from villages, towns, and district hospitals.
At the valedictory meeting at Gandhi Bhavan, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said the state is moving ahead with the proposed Right to Health Act.
The gathering was not just a closing ceremony. It was a space where people placed their concerns directly before the government and sought time-bound action on medicine supply, hospital privatisation, and regulation of private healthcare costs.
Addressing the meeting, the Minister said, “We have completed all the background work to bring in the Right to Health Act and soon we are going to submit it to the CM.” His statement was met with cautious optimism from activists who have been pushing for such legislation for years.
He also acknowledged the issue of medicine shortages in government hospitals. “We have purchased the medicines and the process is being streamlined,” he said, adding that normal supply of free medicines would be ensured within two months.
He further stated that the government has been observing the work of public health movements closely.
While welcoming the assurance, organisers submitted a detailed memorandum highlighting their core demands.
They called for free and quality medicines in all government hospitals, withdrawal of PPP-based privatisation of district hospitals, regulation of private treatment costs, and enactment of a comprehensive Right to Health Act.
Much of the meeting focused on testimonies from communities. Jabeena Khanum from Davangere spoke about maternal and child health concerns.
“Women and children in our areas are not receiving proper medicines and adequate facilities,” she said, explaining how poor families are forced to spend from their own pockets.
From Vijayapura, Bogesh Sollapura recalled the long agitation against the proposed privatisation of the government medical college hospital.
“We undertook 106 days of sustained protest,” he said, adding that the Chief Minister’s intervention gave people hope that public hospitals would remain accessible to the poor.
Others echoed similar concerns. A 2024 survey across 12 districts found that patients collectively spent over ₹4 lakh on medicines, pointing to gaps in the public supply system. Activists said this shows that medicine access remains inconsistent despite long-standing policies.
The question of PPP-based privatisation of eight district hospitals was raised repeatedly. Swathi SB, a public health specialist, argued that “such models increase treatment costs and reduce accessibility for the poor and vulnerable groups.”
She stressed that Dalits, Adivasis, transpersons, persons with disabilities and workers rely heavily on public institutions.
Sayyed Ishmail from the state medical supplies corporation acknowledged the financial burden of medicines. “60 to 70 percent of treatment expenditure is spent on medicines,” he said, underlining why free drug supply must be prioritised.
Responding to concerns, the Minister admitted that the PPP issue is sensitive.
“These decisions are not solely in my hands,” he said, clarifying that he cannot promise a blanket halt to all PPP ventures. Still, activists said they will continue people’s audits and community monitoring to ensure accountability.
As the cultural team Beru Bevaru closed the event with songs on health rights and public accountability, organisers expressed hope that the statewide mobilisation would lead to concrete policy action.
For many who travelled across districts, the message was simple, healthcare must be guaranteed, and the time to act is now.
(Edited by Amit Vasudev)
