The Delhi High Court has adjourned the hearing on a plea filed by the Association of Healthcare Providers challenging the order of the Delhi Government reserving 80% ICU beds in 33 Private Hospitals.
In a laudable order, the Delhi High Court has asked 33 private hospitals to reserve 80 percent of ICU beds for coronavirus patients. It vacated an earlier stay, noting that the ground reality had “radically changed”.
New Delhi (ILNS): Private hospitals in Delhi will again have to reserve 80 percent of their ICU beds for Covid patients. The Delhi High Court today lifted its earlier stay on the Delhi government’s order to that effect.
The Supreme Court today has refused to stay the Delhi High Court order staying Delhi Govt decision to reserve 80% ICU beds in private hospitals for COVID19 patients while directing Delhi High Court to hear the matter day after tomorrow.
The bench said that all aspects of the Hathras case, including security to the victim's family and witnesses, will be looked after by the Allahabad High Court.
The Delhi government has appealed to the divisional bench of the Delhi High Court against a single bench order that had stayed the government notification of reserving 80 percent of ICU beds in private hospitals for COVID patients.
COVID treatment prices in private hospitals have been shooting through the roof in recent times and even those with insurance find that their policy ceilings aren’t allowing hospitalisation.
“It is most unfortunate that non-COVID-19 patients are being made to wait to undergo test for COVID-19 at labs other than those which are situated within the premises of the hospitals, that are equipped and authorised to conduct the said test," said the bench of Justices Hima Kohli & Subramonium Prasad
A PIL has been filed in Delhi High Court seeking directions to formulate and constitute a committee to inspect and audit the account and management of private hospitals in Delhi.
The Delhi Government has said that suspected COVID-19 patients, ranging moderate to severe categories, cannot be denied admission by any hospital in Delhi even if they have not proved to be COVID Positive.