Plea To Ensure Operation Of All Non-Functional Hospitals & Mohalla Clinics in Delhi: Delhi High Court Issues Notice To Delhi Govt.

Hearing a plea filed seeking a direction to the Delhi Government to take necessary steps to ensure operation of all non-functional hospitals and Mohalla Clinics in the NCT of Delhi, the Delhi High Court has issued notice to the Delhi High Court.

Issuing the notice to the Delhi Government, the Bench of Justice Rekha Palli posted the matter for further hearing on August 12, 2021.

The Court was hearing a plea by one Parth Kumar who argued that in order to equip the city to deal with a possible third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to take steps to ensure operation of all non-functional hospitals and Mohalla Clinics in the NCT of Delhi.

The petitioner's expressed his apprehension that the existing healthcare system in the NCT of Delhi may be inadequate to meet the serious and urgent medical needs of the city's population in case of such an eventuality.

Recently, before the Delhi High Court, Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma had suggested that Mohalla Clinics established in Delhi may come in very handy at this time and should be used for Covid testing.

Responding to the aforesaid submission, Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra appearing on behalf of the GNCTD stated that while the clinics are world class, they were currently used for free Non-Covid testing, and due to the size, wouldn't be able to provide for social distancing.

ASG suggests that the Mohalla Clinics may come in very handy at this time and should be used for Covid testing.

Mehra says that while they are world class, they are currently used for free Non-Covid testing, and due to the size, wouldn't be able to provide for social distancing

— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) May 4, 2021

While telling Mehra that it was in fact the time to "stand up" for the Delhi Government, the Bench had asked as what use are Mohalla Clinics if they can't be used in the present Covid times.

In fact, pulling up the Delhi government for not using its Mohalla Clinics to augment the facilities for Covid-19 patients, the Court said that "it's a waste of resources" if they are not being used, even as the government submitted that the clinics cannot handle serious patients.

Court asks Delhi Government what use are Mohalla Clinics if they can't be used in the present Covid times. Centre tells Delhi govt that this is the time to "stand up".

Delhi counsel Satyakam says bigger ones being used for Covid testing.

— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) May 4, 2021

It may be noted that the Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinic has been conceptualized as a mechanism to provide quality primary health care services accessible within the communities in Delhi at their doorstep.

Case title - Parth Kumar v. Govt. of NCT Of Delhi and Ors.

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