⏱ 2 min read
For health service candidates, Article 35 is not just an exam topic. It is the legal promise behind your daily work. Understanding it well helps in both the written paper and the interview.
What Article 35 says, in simple words
- Every citizen has the right to get basic health services free of cost from the state, and no one can be denied emergency health care.
- Every person has the right to information about their own treatment.
- Every citizen has the right to equal access to health services.
- Every citizen has the right to access clean drinking water and sanitation.
Other rights linked to health
| Article | Right | Health link |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | Clean environment | Pollution and waste affect health |
| 36 | Food | Freedom from hunger and food insecurity |
| 38 | Women | Safe motherhood and reproductive health |
| 39 | Children | Basic health care, nutrition and protection |
| 41 | Senior citizens | Special protection and social security |
| 43 | Social security | Support for those who cannot care for themselves |
Laws that put Article 35 into practice
- Public Health Service Act, 2075: defines basic health services that must be free, emergency treatment, and duties of health institutions.
- Right to Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Act, 2075: safe delivery, family planning and abortion services as rights.
- Health Insurance Act, 2074: the national health insurance scheme run by the Health Insurance Board.
What it means at a health post
- Emergency patients must be treated first, whether or not they can pay.
- Patients must be told about their condition and treatment in words they understand.
- Everyone gets the same service, without discrimination by caste, gender, religion or wealth.
- Free medicines on the basic list must be available and given without charge.
Memory tip: Article 35 has four parts: “Free, Informed, Equal, Water.” F-I-E-W.
Practice questions
Which Article guarantees the right to health?
- a) Article 31
- b) Article 33
- c) Article 35
- d) Article 38
Show answer
Answer: c. Article 35.
The right to safe motherhood and reproductive health is part of the right of:
- a) children
- b) women
- c) senior citizens
- d) consumers
Show answer
Answer: b. Article 38, rights of women.
Under Article 35, no one can be denied:
- a) specialist treatment
- b) emergency health service
- c) foreign treatment
- d) private hospital care
Show answer
Answer: b. Emergency health care.