New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has directed the medical superintendent of Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital to file an affidavit addressing concerns raised over the non-availability of essential medical facilities at the institute.
Petition Flags Absence of NAT Testing and Medicines
The petition highlights the lack of Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) — a crucial screening method used to detect life-threatening infections like HIV and Hepatitis B and C — as well as shortages of essential medicines at the hospital. The petitioner argues that such gaps pose a serious risk to patient safety.
Court Issues Directions to Hospital Authorities
A division bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora asked the counsel for the hospital authorities to seek instructions and address the specific grievances regarding NAT testing and the non-availability of medicines at the next hearing.
Affidavit to Be Filed by Medical Superintendent
The court directed that a detailed affidavit be submitted by the RML Hospital medical superintendent. The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on December 17, where the court will examine the hospital’s explanation and proposed corrective measures.
NGO Seeks Uninterrupted Access to Essential Services
The petition was filed by NGO Kutumb, which seeks directions to the Centre and RML Hospital to ensure continuous availability of essential medicines, life-saving drugs, and safe blood transfusion facilities for poor and needy patients at RML Hospital and the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences (ABVIMS).
Allegations of Blood Transfusions Without NAT Testing
Advocate Rudra Vikram Singh, appearing for the petitioner, cited media reports alleging that RML Hospital has been conducting blood transfusions without mandatory NAT screening. This lapses in detecting infections during the “window period,” where conventional tests may fail to identify HIV or Hepatitis, potentially endangering patients’ lives.
Court’s Prior Intervention in Patient Care Issues
This development follows earlier intervention by the Delhi High Court, which took suo motu cognisance of a report about a critically injured 12-year-old boy being denied admission at government hospitals due to a lack of ICU beds. The court directed a private hospital to treat him under the EWS category without charging his family.
Growing Scrutiny of Public Healthcare Standards
The latest petition adds to concerns over the state of public healthcare infrastructure in Delhi. With shortages of essential medicines and lapses in blood safety protocols coming to light, the court’s response is expected to play a critical role in ensuring stricter compliance and improved patient safety at major government hospitals.
