A control room with real-time info on ICU beds in hospitals: Delhi HC asks if it can be set up

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora said that “it is apparent that the infrastructure, (be it in the form of machines, medicines or manpower) is woefully inadequate at Delhi hospitals. With only six CT scan machines being available in 19 Delhi government hospitals (which cater to a population in excess of three crore), the infrastructure needs to be ramped up manifold. After all, in cases of emergencies like serious accident victims or strokes or heart attacks, there is no time to shift the patients to private clinics for scans. Without critical infrastructure being available at Delhi Government hospitals, the ‘golden hour’ of saving a life may be lost”.

The bench also underscored that quality medical services is “crucial for the health and well-being of any city”, and to ensure a robust public health system is an obligation of the State under Article 47 read with Article 21 of the Constitution of India. Noting that the field is an extremely specialised area that requires “subject experience and domain knowledge”, the bench, while appointing the committee, asked them to submit monthly reports.

The order came in a 2017 suo motu plea over the alleged lack of Intensive care unit (ICU) beds and ventilators in government hospitals. Last month, the court had taken note of a report by The Indian Express, about a man who had gotten injured after jumping out of a PCR van and was denied admission to four government hospitals, and later died.
The committee chaired by ILBS Chancellor Dr S K Sarin will comprise Dr Nikhil Tandon, professor and head of department (Endocrinology and Metabolism) at AIIMS; Dr D K Sharma, master of surgery (MS), Dr R P (Eye Centre) at AIIMS; Dr Suresh Kumar, director of LNJP Hospital; Dr Piyush Gupta, professor (paediatrics and principal) at University College of Medical Sciences; and Dr Deepak K Tempe, senior professor (anaesthesia/vice chancellor) at ILBS.

The terms of reference of the committee include to “suggest ways and means to devise a mechanism for the establishment of a control room that will enable the provision of real-time information concerning the availability of ICU / HDU beds in the various hospitals and their timely availability for patients in need thereof; suggesting ways and means to maintain as functional high-end medical equipment in various hospitals, and to suggest mechanisms to immediately fill vacant posts of specialists (teaching/non-teaching), medical officers, and paramedics on contract basis, till regular incumbents join through UPSC/DSSSB” among others.

The bench also said that while making its recommendations, the committee must give primacy to “critical health care”, and consider suggestions given by the Delhi health minister, health secretary (GNCTD), and the amicus curiae advocate, Ashok Agarwal. The bench, thereafter, asked the committee to prepare its “interim report” within four weeks and place it for consideration and passing of appropriate directions.
It, however, said that as the ‘Farishtey Scheme’ is sub-judice before the Supreme Court, the committee is directed to not examine the same. The matter is next listed on April 1.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said in a statement: “We welcome the formation of the committee”.