Among several provisions that touch on the subject of health,
reference can be made to Articles 39(e), (f), 42 and 47 of the
Constitution. These Articles read as follows:
"39(e) that the health and strength of works, men and women,
and the tender age of children are not abused and that citizens
are not forced by economic necessity to enter avocations
unsuited to their age or strength;
(f) that children are given opportunities and facilities to
develop in a healthy manner and in conditions of freedom and
dignity and that childhood and youth are protected against
exploitation and against moral and material abandonment.
42. Provision for just and humane conditions of work and
maternity relief:- The State shall make provision for securing
just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief.
47. Duty of the State to raise the level of nutrition and the
standard of living and to improve public health - The State shall
regard the raising of the level of nutrition and the standard of
living of its people and the improvement of public health as
among its primary duties and, in particular, the State shall
endeavour to bring about prohibition of the consuming, except
for medicinal purposes of intoxicating drinks and of drugs
which are injurious to health."
24.
Thus, according to Ms. Zubeda Begum, the State cannot concentrate
all its resources on one person, while denying basic facilities to others.
UNION OF INDIA'S SUBMISSIONS
25.
Similarly, respondent No.1-UOI stated that it granted financial
assistance to poor patients under the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi Scheme, the
Health Minister's Discretionary Grant and the Prime Minister's Relief Fund.
W.P.(C) 7279/2013
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