Delhi HC Recommends Centre To Consider Having A Dedicated Helpline For Grievances Of Nurses In Private Clinics

The Division Bench Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan, however, refused to entertain the demand seeking inclusion of nurses working in private clinics, who are not on COVID duty, as beneficiaries in the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana.

The court said:

'Selecting beneficiaries under PMGKY is a policy decision which would also require budget considerations. Therefore, this court doesn't feel inclined towards interfering in such a policy decision.'

The order has come in a plea seeking adequate protection for nurses and healthcare staff working in private nursing homes.

Today, the Central Government informed the court that an Office Order was issued on July 14 which makes it mandatory for private clinics to provide N95 masks and PPE kits to the nurses.

It was further informed that the quarantine facilities are only extended to those nurses who are on COVID duty or are dealing with high risk patients.

Moreover, the Central Government submitted that a Public Grievance Management System has been created to address the issues faced by healthcare workers.

In light of these suggestions, the court disposed of the petition by giving liberty to the Petitioner to file separate cases against those private clinics who fail to comply with the directions issued by the government before an appropriate authority.

Filed by Distress Management Collective, the petition seeks a direction to be issued to the concerned government departments to ensure that nurses and healthcare workers in the private nursing homes are being provided adequate safety kits to deal with COVID19.

The Petitioner organisation wants parity between the facilities provided to healthcare workers in government as well as private hospitals and clinics