Non-Implementation Of PM-ABHIM Scheme In Delhi Unjustified: High Court Orders Signing Of MoU By January 05

The Delhi High Court has recently ordered signing of an MoU between Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Delhi Government by January 05, 2025, for implementing PM- Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) scheme in the national capital.

A division bench comprising of Justice Prathiba M Singh and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora noted that the scheme would have to be implemented in its entirety in order to ensure that the residents of Delhi are not deprived of the funds and all the facilities under the said scheme

The Court said that the MoU shall be signed irrespective of a Model code of conduct, if any, as the same is for the benefit of citizens of Delhi.

“Clearly, the funds of one Scheme cannot be sought to be released for some other projects, as is being sought to be asserted. The non-implementation of the PM-ABHIM Scheme in Delhi, when 33 States and UTs have already implemented the same, would not be justified,” the Court observed.

The bench was dealing with a suo motu PIL initiated in 2017 concerning the issue of the availability of ICU beds and ventilator facilities in the government hospitals here.

In February, Dr.S.K.Sarin Committee was constituted to give recommendations and suggestions for ramping up medical infrastructure and optimization of existing resources in various hospitals, either owned by the Delhi Government or the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).

The Bench had earlier directed the Delhi Government to ensure that Jan Aushadhi Kendras are opened inside each hospital in the national capital.

It had also said that the Delhi Government ought not to delay implementation of PM- Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) on pilot basis and subsequently scaling it up to all the hospitals here.

Previously, the court had directed the Delhi Government to disclose the amount it has been spending on augmenting the health sector in the last five years. It had also asked the city government to file a status report indicating as to how it plans to ensure that the medical infrastructure keeps pace with the city's population.

The bench had expressed concern over the lack of medical infrastructure to treat critical care patients and asked the Delhi Government why the infrastructure is not keeping pace with the demand.

It had also directed the Delhi Government to explore the feasibility of setting up a central portal indicating on a real-time basis the number and nature of beds available in all hospitals in the city.

Title: COURT ON ITS OWN MOTION v. UNION OF INDIA AND ORS.

Click here to read order