PUNE: The Arogya Sena, headquartered in Pune, and known for its disaster management work, has released its election manifesto to help bring the focus on public health issues for the Lok Sabha elections. At the top of its agenda are the patients right charter and strengthening of the disaster management system to effectively manage situations such as the Kerala floods.

The health manifesto states that around 66 per cent of India is prone to disasters, so having a strong disaster management team is important. The manifesto states that the Arogya Sena has demanded deploying of Arogya Sainik or health soldier in every village to tackle health-related issues during or after a disaster.

The manifesto also demands that the patients right charter should be effectively implemented. The charter, which underlines the rights of a patient in a private hospital, empowers patients and should be used by everyone.

The manifesto also demands tobacco-free India. Besides, the manifesto demands that generic medicines should be popularised so that more patients get medicines at lower and affordable costs. 

The manifesto mentions that today, one of the greatest challenges before the medical field is the privatisation of medical education. This may hinder students from all strata from receiving medical education. 

The manifesto highlights that there is a considerable number of fake doctors in the country, because of which many patients suffer. The manifesto demands that strict action should be taken on such fake doctors.

The election manifesto also highlights that better immunisation and reducing malnutrition should be the prime focus of the new government.

The manifesto also highlights the need for stringent rules to stop attacks on doctors.