Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Monday overruled the Arvind Kejriwal– government’s controversial decision to restrict COVID treatment in Delhi hospitals to people only to Delhites in hospitals run by the Delhi government.
Overruling the decision of the Delhi Chief Minister, that treatment for Covid-19 would only be provided to residents of Delhi in hospitals run by the Delhi government, the LG today in his capacity as Chairperson of the DDMA directed departments and authorities of NCT of Delhi to ensure that treatment is not denied to any patient on grounds of not being a resident of Delhi. This decision will bring relief to patients and their families from outside Delhi who are seeking treatment during the coronavirus pandemic.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on June 7 announced that the hospitals run by his government and private players will treat only Delhi residents during the COVID-19 crisis. While addressing media via video conference, Kejriwal said the hospitals under the Centre will continue to operate as per the central government’s directions.
“Over 90 per cent of people want Delhi hospitals to treat patients from the national capital during the coronavirus pandemic. Hence, it has been decided that government and private hospitals in Delhi will only treat patients from the national capital,” Kejriwal had told the media briefing. Kejriwal’s decision drew huge flak from many quarters.
–India Legal Bureau