VIKAS SAINI Vs. DIRECTORATE OF HEALTH SERVICES

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, filed as a Public Interest Litigation, flags the issue of lack of essential emergency facilities in Cardio Vascular Department in Satyawadi Raja Harish Chander Government Hospital and Maharishi Valmiki Hospital being the only Government hospitals in the locality of Narela stated to be having a population of over 10 lakhs, compelling the residents of the said locality even in an emergency to travel long distances in peak traffic and which often proves fatal The petition seeks a direction to the respondent Directorate of Health Services, Govt. of NCT of Delhi (GNCTD) to provide the said facilities in the said Government hospitals.

(2.) THE petition was entertained and notice thereof issued.

(3.) A counter affidavit was filed on behalf of the respondent no.3 Health and Family Department of GNCTD inter alia stating that Maharishi Valmiki Hospital, a 150 bed hospital has a 4 bed ICU and round -the -clock facility for ECG at Casualty; that the ICU is equipped with ventilator and defibrillator and is managed round - the -clock by doctors and other staff. It is further stated that the said hospital also has a facility for Troponin -T which is an important diagnostic tool for detecting heart attack and routine Thrombolysis is carried out in appropriate patients but patients needing invasive procedure on urgent basis are transferred to higher centres for treatment. W ith respect to Satyawadi Raja Harish Chander Hospital, the said affidavit states that the hospital provides only basic health care to patients, who if required are then referred to higher centres for treatment / management.