Legal aid in hospitals: An innovative approach

摘要

The World Health Organization (WHO) defined health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity". While physical and mental health is well defined, social well being is ignored. An important measure to ensure social well-being of a person is to ensure social justice. It usually refers to giving what is rightly due to an individual, group or community. It is the responsibility of the Welfare State to prevent human rights violation and to protect and promote human rights of its citizens. The Government of India enacted the Legal Services Authorities Act in 1987. Legal Services Authorities Act 1987: 'Legal aid' is defined as, provision of free legal aid to the poor, illiterate and to those who do not have access to courts. The legislation makes provision for Lok Adalats to ensure speedy and amicable settlement of disputes. It also makes provisions to raise legal awareness through campaigns. To achieve the above objectives, Legal Services Authority has been constituted in every State. In every district, District Legal Services Authority has been constituted to implement Legal Services Programmes and is located in the District Courts complex. The Taluk Legal Services Committee has been set up to reach the unreached in many taluk courts.