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print versionOctober 27, 2017
We, the concerned people’s health movements, health networks, women’s groups and individuals vehemently condemn the denial of any health and allied services, access to PDS or any other schemes that enhance social security for want of an Aadhaar identity. This is extremely arbitrary and a gross violation of human rights, the right to life and dignity.
Such a violation has been reported recently by the media[1] whereby a 28-year-old woman who was pregnant with her fourth child sought an abortion from a well known government hospital in Chandigarh. She was denied an abortion and turned away as she could not produce an Aadhaar card, which was required, according to the hospital, for an ultrasonography (USG). She was also denied an oral abortifacent, in the absence of the USG. She was then directed to a private diagnostic centre where an abortion and USG was possible even without an Aadhaar but she could not afford it. Further, the private clinic was unwilling to provide the abortion without the consent of the husband, something that is not a requirement according to the law. The series of denials forced her to seek abortion from an unqualified healthcare provider, which resulted in severe bleeding endangering her life and necessitated hospitalization and blood transfusion.[2]
This media report exemplifies yet another instance of the multiple violations - to bodily integrity, personhood, rights to life and healthcare - that women frequently experience in their quest for safe, legal and quality abortion services. As a result an estimated 10 women die due to unsafe abortions every day in the country. The denials in the reported instance were also in complete violation of the provisions of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act (MTP Act). Moreover, the denial of health services especially when it is available is a gross negligence - both criminal and civil and unethical on the part of the government and the health system and in absolute violation of their professional ethics.
The mandatory requirement of Aadhaar for USG services in this instance remains unclear. While popular arguments that this will facilitate availability of the medical history of all patients to any hospital persist, this is in clear violation of Section 2(k), Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits, and Services) Act 2016, which states that demographic information collected under the Act shall not include ‘medical history’. However, other laws and policies such as the law on health privacy tentatively titled “Electronic Health Data Privacy, Confidentiality and Privacy in India†plans collection of Aadhaar numbers linked to medical records and the National Health Policy 2017 states that the government will be “exploring the use of “Aadhaar†for identification†and “creation of registries (i.e. patients, provider, service, diseases, document and event) for enhanced public health/big data analytics, creation of health information exchange platform.†[3] The recent Supreme Court judgment has however held that the right to privacy is an inherent human right and the State shall not intrude unless there is a law.
Several state government health services, for example, in Bihar[4], Haryana, Telangana are already collecting Aadhaar from patients.[5] Aadhaar is also mandatory for treatment for Hepatitis C in Punjab[6], in Uttar Pradesh for use of ambulance services[7], for antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Madhya Pradesh[8] while it is required for the death certificate in Assam, Jammu and Kashmir and Meghalaya[9] and organ donation in Karnataka[10]. This raises extremely serious concerns about privacy, confidentiality and ethics vis-Ã -vis the collection, storage and sharing of health data of patients, linked to Aadhaar over a platform, which has the potential to be accessed widely and used unethically. Disclosure of personal health information also has the potential to reinforce stigma, discrimination and marginalization of those seeking health care, leading to its denial and threat to lives.
We demand that the linking of Aadhaar to health and other social services, including access to PDS be urgently revoked by the Centre and all states and information must be disseminated widely and publicly to ensure that such violations cease immediately.
1. Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (JSA)2. Sama Resource Group for Women and Health3. Medico Friend Circle (MFC)4. Forum for Medical Ethics Society (FMES)5. Amar Jesani, Editor, Indian Journal of Medical Ethics(IJME)6. Mahila Sarvangeen Utkarsh Mandal (MASUM)7. Ratnaboli Ray - Anjali Mental Health Rights Organization, Kolkata8. Dr Yogesh Jain, Jan Swasthya Sahyog (JSS), Chhattisgarh9. Anuradha Kapoor, Swayam, Kolkata10. Meena Seshu, SANGRAM11. Aleyamma, Sakhi, Kerala12. Dr Anant Phadke, Pune13. Sheba George - SAHR WARU : Women’s Action and Resource Unit, Gujarat14. PRAYAS, Rajasthan15. CommonHealth16. Renu Khanna, SAHAJ, Gujarat17. National Alliance for Maternal Health and Human Rights (NAMHHR)18. ANANDI, Gujarat19. Adv Veena Johari, Mumbai20. Kalyani Menon Sen, Delhi21. Farah Naqvi, Writer and Activist, Delhi22. Geeta Ramaseshan, Advocate, Chennai23. Adv Kamayani Bali Mahabal, Mumbai24. Talking about Reproductive and Sexual Health Issues (TARSHI)25. Saba Dewan26. Shampa Sengupta, Disability & Gender Rights Activist, Kolkata27. Dr. Sharmila Rudrappa, Professor, Department of Sociology, Director, Center for Asian American Studies University of Texas at Austin28. Nazariya: A Queer Feminist Resource Group, Delhi29. Bandana Sharma, Akanksha Seva Sadan, Bihar30. Bijoya Roy, Delhi31. Madhavi Yennapu, Delhi32. Madhurima Nundy, Institute of Chinese Studies, Delhi33. Malini Ghose34. Dr Padmini Swaminathan, Visiting Professor, Council for Social Development, Hyderabad35. Dr. Padma Deosthali, Independent researcher36. Ranjan De, Delhi37. Dr. P.S. Sahni & Shobha Aggarwal, advocate Members, PIL Watch Group38. R Srivatsan, Senior Fellow, Anveshi Research Centre for Women’s Studies39. Radha Holla40. Creating Resources for Empowerment in Action (CREA)41. Faheem Mitha, Mumbai42. Rev Kyrsoibor Pyrtuh43. M B Nataraj, Microbiologist/ Medical Technologist, Bangalore44. Forum to Engage Men (FEM)45. Voluntary Health Association of Punjab (VHAP)46. GHAROA, Assam47. Karnataka Janaaroyga Chaluvali48. Action India, Delhi49. Vishakha, Rajasthan50. A. P. Singh51. Ashray Dilip
[1] http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-aadhaar-a-problem-for-women-seeking-abortions-2554206/amp
[2] http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-aadhaar-a-problem-for-women-seeking-abortions-2554206/amp
[4] https://www.telegraphindia.com/1171009/jsp/frontpage/story_176968.jsp
[5] https://scroll.in/pulse/833190/aadhaar-in-health-records-legal-experts-and-government-divided-over-who-will-own-data
[6] http://pbhealth.gov.in/AADHAAR%20number%20as%20UID%20number%20for%20registration%20of%20patient.pdf
