SC: Private hospitals should treat elderly on priority amid pandemic
The Supreme Court on Thursday directed that elderly people be given priority in admission and treatment at private hospitals besides at government medical institutions amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The order was passed on the plea filed by former Union Minister and Senior Advocate Ashwani Kumar, who had sought directions with regard to elderly people saying they need more care and protection amid the pandemic.
Earlier only government hospitals were directed to do so
A bench of justices Ashok Bhushan and RS Reddy modified its earlier order of August 4, 2020, by which it had directed only government hospitals to give priority in admission and treatment to elderly people looking at their vulnerability to coronavirus.
All states to respond within three weeks
The bench took note of the submission of the petitioner in-person that except Odisha and Punjab no other state has given details about the steps taken in pursuance of the earlier directions issued by the top court on his plea. The top court granted three weeks' time to all the states to respond to Kumar's suggestions to provide relief to the elderly people.
States need to issue fresh SOPs: Kumar
During the hearing, Kumar said the states need to issue fresh Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in pursuance of the directions issued by the court. He said the court may issue directions to the health and social welfare departments of all states in this regard. The SC had also directed last year that all eligible old age persons should be regularly paid pensions.
Hospital administration should address all grievances
The top court had also ordered states to provide necessary medicines, masks, sanitizers, and other essential goods in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It said that looking at their vulnerability to coronavirus, elderly people should be given priority in admission in government hospitals, and in the event of any complaint made by them, the hospital administration shall take immediate steps to remedy their grievances.
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