A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court, comprising of Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice Dr. Kauser Edappagath suggested that the State Government use 50% of hotels closed in the lockdown for converting them into temporary hospitals and provide beds to the patients which is the need of the hour.
The Court expressed that each and every individual who is ill is entitled to get the best possible medical treatment from the nearest hospital even if the hospital is a 5-star one- because adequate and affordable medical treatment is non-negotiable.
The Court was of the view that:
"Three facets are non-negotiable, non-discrimination in access to public facilities, adequate medical treatment, and affordable medical treatment. Does not matter whether the hospital is 5-star. If I am ill, I must be given the best medical treatment in the nearest hospital. The access to right to health is not defined by a private investment ... we are in the context of a public health pandemic."
The Court made this observation while hearing a plea pertaining to over-pricing of medical treatment in private hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
At last, the Court expressed that:
“We will sit, lockdown or otherwise since this is a very important matter. We will deliver judgment on Monday."
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