Ensure Adequate Accommodation To Patients Residing In Night Shelters Outside AIIMS: Delhi HC Directs Delhi's Urban Shelter Board [Read Order]

The Division Bench of Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Rajnish Bhatnagar directed the authorities to look into the aspect of housing the patients and their attendants at one or the other facility, keeping in view the situation as it emerges, and also taking note of the fact that some patients may require treatment at AIIMS on a regular/ daily basis, while others may not.

Submissions By Delhi Government

During the proceedings, Mr Gautam Narayan, who appeared for the Delhi Government, informed the court that the SDM, by an order dated May 11, has already directed for issuance of bus passes to the

patients and their attendants – who are housed at Gargi School, to be taken to AIIMS for the purpose of treatment.

It was further informed that by the same order, the SDM has also directed for providing the building of Pratibha Primary Co-ed School, Green Park (Pratibha School) for the purpose of using the same as a shelter for the patients and their attendants while maintaining social distancing norms and related aspects.

Delhi Government also informed the court that while 57-59 persons who were occupying these shelter homes have already left for their native homes, about 93 more such persons have expressed their desire to go back to their native places.

Submissions By AIIMS

All India Institute of Medical Sciences informed the court that it could accommodate about 50-60 persons in the hospital's own Vishram Sadan.

Mr Anand Varma, who was appearing for AIIMS, further submitted that the Institute is providing

telephonic consultations to patients by fixing the appointments in advance. Moreover, AIIMS is keen to start the OPD in a phased manner, and is hoping that in the next two weeks, it would restart its OPD services in a limited way at least.

It was informed by Mr Varma that AIIMS is providing all the necessary treatments to patients in emergency and is also providing Chemotherapy to Cancer patients as and when required.

Observations of the Court

The court expressed its satisfaction over the fact that AIIMS has started providing medicines through its Pharmacy.

The court also directed Radha Swami Satsang, Beas, to continue the arrangement of providing special diets to the patients as long as the same is required.

The court also appreciated the Petitioner, Rachna Malik, for making useful contribution to the matter.

The order has come in a PIL moved by Karan Seth wherein the Petitioner was represented by Senior Advocate Darpan Wadhwa, and Advocates Arjun Syal and Manjira Dasgupta

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