New Delhi, May 22 (ILNS) The Delhi High Court was today informed by the Delhi Government and the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) that the number of beds for COVID-19 patients suffering from neurological problems would be increased, if there is any third wave of COVID-19.
A Bench headed by Justice Rekha Palli asked, “What if a third wave comes, as feared by everyone?”
Counsel for Delhi Government Advocate Gautam Narayan and Advocate Tushar Sannu for IHBAS assured the Court that the number of existing beds would be increased from 60 to 80, which would be sufficient as COVID facility, only for mentally-ill patients or persons with neurological disorders.
Mr Sannu told the Court that there was no need to increase the bed capacity at present, as only eight patients were admitted in COVID facility.
The Court noted that the present petition was filed with a grievance that respondent No 2 (IHBAS) was not admitting COVID positive patients with neurological ailments. The petitioner’s father, who was already admitted there, was asked to leave the hospital and shift to a COVID facility, after turning positive for COVID-19.
“It appears that during the pendency of present petition, the petitioner’s father was kept admitted in IHBAS and given treatment for Novel Coronavirus, but unfortunately he died,” noted the Bench.
“In view of these facts, the court is constrained to direct the IHBAS to create a COVID facility for Novel Coronavirus patients suffering from neurological ailments. It should also admit other COVID-19 patients with neurological issue and should not discharge the patients found COVID positive,” it ordered.
“In view of the respondents assuring the Court that beds will be increased up to 80 when the cases arise, the petition is hence, disposed of,” the Bench said.
Earlier on May 13, 2021, the Court had directed both the IHBAS and the GNCTD to place a status report and Affidavit on record, as to how the facility, which has to be created for mentally-ill patients/persons with neurological disorders, is to be set up and what needs to be provided for its creation. ILNS/HS/RJ