AIIMS can use EWS beds in pvt hospitals by referring patients there, says HC

The court was referring to those private hospitals which were given land on throwaway prices with the condition to keep 10 per cent in-patient and 25 per cent out-patient facility for economically weaker section (EWS).

“AIIMS can utilise the beds reserved for EWS in private hospitals on government land. It can refer patients to them,” Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva said while hearing a plea for speedy and free treatment of a woman suffering from brain tumour whose surgery was fixed in August 2018 by the medical institute.

Meera Devi hails from Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. She is a mother of two and presently lives with her husband Ram Singh in Okhla where he works as a small time guard for a private firm.

Speaking to Millennium Post, Ram Singh explained the ordeal that has been faced by his wife and the family for over a month.

Singh said: “We first went to Safdarjung Hospital in the second week of July for getting my wife treated from where we were made aware that she had brain tumour and was referred to AIIMS.” 

Mentioning the experience at AIIMS, he said: “After being provided appointment at AIIMS, we were given a date of August 18, 2018 and provided medicines by the doctors.”

“I do not have the economic capacity to get my wife treated at any private hospital,” Singh added.

The court issued notice to the Centre, the Delhi government and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) seeking their reply on the plea of the 45-year-old woman who has alleged that the institute said her surgery can be scheduled in December 2016 if she opts for a private ward which would cost around Rs 1.25 lakh.

Justice Sachdeva also observed that there was a need for long-term guidelines to address the issue so that other patients, like the petitioner, would also benefit.