Don’t deny treatment to dengue, chikungunya patients: HC

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed the Centre and the Delhi government to take effective steps to ensure that the dengue and chikungunya patients are not denied treatment or admission in any of the hospitals in the national Capital.

A division Bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal also asked the Centre and the Delhi government to increase the strength of doctors, nurses and other staff in hospitals here.

“The government of India as well as government of NCT of Delhi should take effective steps to ensure that the dengue patients are not denied treatment/admission in any of the hospital (government/Private) of Delhi,” the court said in its order.

“Further steps should be taken to increase the strength of doctors, nurses, other staff by engaging retired personnel, if so required to meet the exigencies. Assistance of NGOs who are involved in such activities may also be taken,” it said.

The court’s direction came on a public interest litigation filed by lawyer Shahid Ali, who accused the governments and the three Municipal Corporations of not acting vigilantly and responsibly in tackling mosquito-borne diseases.

The court also directed civic agencies to take appropriate steps for periodical visits of the houses, more particularly of those located in slum areas, for prevention of mosquito breeding by adopting the necessary anti-mosquito measures such as fogging operations and insecticides spraying. The Centre and the Delhi government and civic bodies shall “conduct awareness campaigns and advertise through various modes viz. hoardings, television, newspapers, radio etc. to make the public aware of the life threatening disease”, said the Bench.

Earlier, the Delhi government told the court that less number of dengue and chikungunya cases were reported in the national Capital this year as compared to last year. Several preventive measures have also been taken in this regard.