Delhi HC Rejects Plea Seeking Court To Prevent Private Hospitals From Charging Exorbitant Fee For COVID19 Treatment

While disposing of the petition, the Division Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan noted that the court cannot pass any direction on this matter at this stage.

Filed by Advocate Amit Sahni, the petition sought court's directions for preventing private COVID facilities from charging exorbitant prices from the patients.

The Petitioner further sought directions to ensure that those who require immediate medical attention/intensive care, are not denied admission due to paucity of funds so that loss of precious lives could be minimized.

The petition stated that:

'State being a welfare state has to ensure that Private Hospitals do not charge patient exorbitantly and also to ensure that those who require immediate medical attention/intensive care, are not denied admission due to paucity of funds.'

While citing the the state is under an obligation to ensure access to healthcare to all, the Petitioner submitted that over-charge public particularly when the Government Hospitals do not have sufficient infrastructure to accommodate all patients suffering from Covid-19.

The Petitioner argued that:

'most of the citizens are suffering from financial crisis and there is huge recession in economy worldwide, therefore, it is absolutely necessary for the Respondent to play a proactive role and ensure that no hospital take benefit of the state of medical emergency.'