Delhi HC Stays Delhi Govt's Order Directing Private Hospitals To Reserve 80% Beds in ICU For COVID-19 Patients

While staying the said order, the Single Bench of Justice Navin Chawla has adjourned the hearing on merits till October 16.

Filed by Association of Healthcare Providers, the petition challenges the September 12 order of the Delhi Government on the ground that no prior consultation was held with private hospitals to ascertain the demand-supply situation of critical care beds.

It is further argued that ignoring the needs of other severely sick patients requiring critical care and ICU management at these private hospitals, is gross injustice.

'Reserving 80% beds in ICU will deny urgent care to seriously ill patients, requiring vital surgical intervention and intensive care', the petition states.

While citing that other States who are similarly situated have not passed such an order, the Petitioner has argued that the order to reserve 80% in ICU for COVID patients, over and above beds already reserved for them, violates the fundamental right to access medical facilities of other critically ill patients.