PIL in SC seeks proper treatment of non-Covid patients

A petition has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking direction to the Union Health Ministry, all states, and union territories, to ensure proper medical treatment and facilities to non-COVID-19 patients.

New Delhi: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court on Thursday seeking directions to the Centre and the states to ensure that adequate medical facilities are being provided to non-covid-19 patients and their fundamental rights to life, liberty, health and equality are upheld.

The plea, filed by Advocate GS Mani, stated that people with ailments of heart, kidney, liver, pregnant women, thalassemia etc are not getting admission and treatment in private and government hospitals as the doctors are busy with Covid-19 patients.

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"People at large feel that they are living in a medical emergency because of the total failure of the state governance. The people have no choice except to go to a hospital in serious conditions. The life and death situation has come to the public at large," read the plea.

"Many hospitals have stopped their Emergency Ward treatment and postponed major surgeries. Non-COVID patients also need regular treatment," read the PIL.

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The petition further claimed that the right to public health is a fundamental right guaranteed under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.

"The state, under Article 12 of the Constitution, is duty-bound to protect the fundamental right of every citizen, failing in which the Supreme Court of India under Article 32 is duty-bound to enforce it," the plea further added.

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