The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a petition that sought for the nationalisation of the country’s hospitals in the wake of COVID-19.
Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice S Ravindra Bhat told the petitioner, Delhi based advocate Amit Dwiwedi “It’s not a matter where the court can ask from the government. We cannot order nationalisation of the hospital. How can the court issue such a misconceive direction.” The court told him that “Government has already taken over some hospitals. Government working towards it (COVID-19) and has taken all kind of effective step for treatment of persons infected with COVID 19.”
The petition sought direction from the Supreme Court to nationalise complete healthcare sector till pandemic COVID-19 contained.
Dwivedi has also filed another petition for a direction to ensure that tests, procedures, and treatments in relation to the Covide-19 are made free of cost across the country, which is tagged with another petition. And, asked the union government to file an affidavit within two weeks.
The apex court, last week has already directed that COVID-19 test done by the government and the private laboratories should be free of cost.