SC sends notice to Centre on 'poor condition of health care facilities'

The Supreme Court bench led by the Chief Justice of India N V Ramana has issued notice to the Central government seeking its response on a plea that raised issues of the poor condition of health care facilities, lack of medical personnel and patients being overcharged.

New Delhi:The Supreme Court bench led by the Chief Justice of India N V Ramana has issued a notice to the Central government seeking its response on a plea that raised issues of the poor condition of health care facilities, lack of medical personnel and patients being overcharged.

"Seventy percent of healthcare is in private hands," said the petitioner's advocate. Standard guidelines for healthcare establishments and uniform treatment protocols need to be formulated, he added. Senior Advocate Sanjay Parikh, who appeared for the petitioner Jan Swasthya Abhiyan told the court that they had sent a representation to the government but there was no response.

"NHRC and health ministry has set out a "patient's charter" which has not been implemented," Parikh added.

"Question is we need to be practical. Registration rules are there. We expect that the small clinical centres and labs have qualified essential personnel including MBBS, MD, doctors. It's very burdensome to them... Ultimately they pass burden to the patients," said CJI Ramana.

"We will issue notice. Let us hope the government will respond," said the court.