Sakshi Chhabra
The Supreme Court directed the Central government to uniform the national policy on hospital admissions within two weeks and to make sure that all hospitals follow the new framed policy.
The court directed that no COVID patient should be denied medical care, hospitalization, or essential drugs in any state/Union Territory due to lack of residential proof or identity proof.
The court noted that the patients are facing a lot of difficulties in securing a bed in the hospitals.
“The Central Government shall, within two weeks, formulate a national policy on admissions to hospitals which shall be followed by all State Governments. Till the formulation of such a policy by the Central Government, no patient shall be denied hospitalization or essential drugs in any State/UT for lack of local residential proof of that State/UT or even in the absence of identity proof”, the Court ordered.
The court also directed the Central government to look into the matter and rectify the deficit of liquid oxygen supply to the GNCTD within two days from the hearing.
The order was passed on April 30 after a long hearing by a bench of Justice DY Chandrachud, L Nageswara Rao and S Ravindra Bhat.
The order stated to prepare a buffer stock of oxygen within the next four days for medical emergencies and such buffer stocks be provided on a daily basis to state along with the existing allocated oxygen supply.
The court directed the Central government as well as the State governments to not clamp down the information on any social media platforms or harass the individuals seeking help through social media. The Registrar is also directed to provide a copy of the same to the District Magistrates in the country.
The central government should revisit the vaccine policy, reviewing the availability and pricing of vaccines and allocate uniform distribution of vaccines.
The Centre’s current vaccine policy has been framed would prima facie result in damage to the right to public health under Article 21 of the constitution.
The case will be heard next on May 4.