HC notice to AIIMS for 'denying' free treatment

The Delhi high court on Friday issued a notice to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on a petition filed by a below poverty line (BPL) woman who was allegedly denied free treatment. Harish V Nair reports.

The Delhi high court on Friday issued a notice to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on a petition filed by a below poverty line (BPL) woman who was allegedly denied free treatment.

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Manju Devi, 40, needed a liver transplant surgery costing between Rs 30,000 and Rs 40,000. She approached the high court on the ground that AIIMS denied her treatment, as she could not bear its cost and the hospital was not ready to give her free treatment.

She quoted an earlier order of the court according to which such patients were entitled to free bed and treatment for such ailments. Even surgeries had to be free of cost.

Vacation judge justice Manmohan Singh issued a notice to AIIMS and sought its stand on the issue by June 27, the next date of hearing.

Her lawyer Rakesh Prabhakar told the court that she suffered from chronic liver disease and sought the intervention of the court to ensure that she was provided immediate medical aid.

The woman, who hails from Bihar, was first admitted to AIIMS on May 31, 2010. Despite being a BPL patient, she was told to bear all the medical expenses, contended Prabhakar.

Since 2010, she has been admitted to AIIMS and discharged a number of times.