Plea Moved In Delhi HC Seeking Adequate Attention And Treatment Of Non-COVID Patients In Hospitals [Read Petition]

A plea has been moved in the Delhi High Court seeking directions for the government to ensure that non-COVID patients, who are suffering from other illnesses, are given adequate attention and treatment in hospitals.

Moved by Yash Aggarwal and Chitrakshi, the petition has asked a direction to be issued to all the public and private hospitals to treat patients suffering from all illnesses, diseases or injuries.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Petitioner argues, many public and private hospitals have started denying proper treatment for illnesses, diseases or injuries other than that of COVID-19.

Moreover, it is highlighted, that some hospitals are denying treatment or even entry in hospital premises if they're having high body temperature when tested on the entry gate.

'OPDs in many Hospitals have been shut down either to accommodate COVID-19 patients or in order to prevent any new patients who might be infected with the virus. Many hospitals are asking the patients to first present a COVID-19 negative report in order to be treated in the Hospital', the petition states.

Due to this prioritisation of COVID patients, the Petitioner argues, that there are numerous cases where cancer patients have been denied chemotherapy, kidney patients who have been advised dialysis thrice a week have been denied dialysis, people suffering from acute hepatitis have been denied treatment, etc.

Highlighting the weaker sections as most vulnerable to such a prioritisation, the petition states that such a policy has a potential of reducing Right to Health to a mere 'myth'.

While submitting that people who are suffering from other illnesses are being treated as 'collateral damage', the Petitioner contends that if this prioritisation of patients is not checked, the number of deaths in the country will only continue to rise further. 

Click Here To Download Petiton

[Read Petition]