Evaluating a Human Rights Approach to Health in the Indian Context: Emerging Needs and Challenges

Health has been one of the most important human rights concerns around the world since the inception of the United Nations. Health in this essay is viewed from a joint perspective of medicine and public health. This paper aims to examine the health and human rights concerns from an Indian perspective with regard to four main themes: (i) availability of basic necessities, (ii) affordability and accessibility of health care services, (iii) specialized care for patients, and (iv) availability of palliative care for a dignified life and death. The issues raised around these four themes are analyzed in sociological, psychological and cultural theoretical perspectives highlighting the actions needed to bring about appropriate change in the Indian context. This paper delineates the scope of the government's actions and people's participation in considering health as a basic human right for all people in India.