‘Take Strict Action’: HC’s directive against erring Hospitals amid COVID-19 pandemic

On Thursday, the High Court of Delhi asked the Central Govt. & Delhi Govt to take strict action against hospitals that are not providing real-time updates on the availability of beds for the treatment of Coronavirus patients.

The HC said that any communication gap between the Govt & hospitals should be reduced. The Court has also asked the Delhi Govt to appoint “dedicated officers” for the same.

Earlier this month, the HC of Delhi had directed the Centre & the Delhi Govt to update data in real-time on the availability of beds & other healthcare facilities provided to the Covid-19 patients.

The court’s directions came after hearing a petition it had initiated itself. It was contested that the “Delhi Corona Mobile Application”, developed by Delhi Govt, isn't being updated regularly & that there exists a mismatch of the facts & data released by the Govt & private hospitals in Delhi, especially concerning the availability of beds & ventilators.

A bench of Chief Justice DN Patel & Justice Prateek Jalan had also directed the Centre & the Delhi Govt to carry out testing as far as possible, subject to availability of testing kits with priority being given to the persons approaching for test on the recommendation of a doctor.

Meanwhile, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) will hold a meeting today evening to discuss home isolation rules for Coronavirus patients in Delhi.

The Delhi Govt has categorically opposed the current format of home isolation rules for COVID-19 patients & a decision on it is likely to be taken during in the meeting today.

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