Aishwarya Rathore-
The Supreme Court issued a notice on Public Interest Litigation, raising the issue of healthcare facility mismanagement.
According to a PIL filed by Jan Swasthya Abhiyan, Private healthcare facilities and hospitals exploit people and do not follow uniform treatment protocols. Healthcare facilities are not functioning properly, patients are being overcharged, and smaller clinics/labs lack proper medical personnel.
Senior Advocate Sanjay Parikh argued that “The petitioner sent a representation to the Central Government but there was no response. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Ministry of Health set out a “Patient’s Charter” which has not yet been implemented.”
The Senior Counsel added “Eleven states had adopted the registration resolution. The Health ministry letter said that the Government has been receiving numerous complaints of gross overcharging, forcing patients to purchase hospital medicines and equipment.”
While considering the arguments, the Chief Justice of India said, “Question is we need to be practical. Registration rules are there. We expect that the small clinical centers and labs have qualified essential personnel including MBBS, MD doctors. It’s very burdensome to them. Ultimately they pass the burden to the patients.”
The Apex Court issued notice to the Union with the hope that the government will respond.
Read more: PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS: DURING CORONAVIRUS
