High Court had directed the Government to increase the number of beds and ventilators

Barathkumar K M | Sastra Deemed to be University Thanjavur | 22nd June 2020

Hemanth Singh Vs State of Delhi

Facts:

Hemanth Singh filed a PIL in the Delhi High Court against the Delhi government and the Central Government. The PIL was about to increase the beds and ventilators in both government and private hospitals. In Delhi hospitals, there were only 9,179 beds for Corona Patients, out of that 4,914 were occupied and only 569 ventilators were available and out of that 315 were being utilized and 254 were available. The PIL also sought non-discriminate treatment for symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. 

Issue:

Are 9,179 beds were enough for Corona Patients?

Petitioner’s argument:  

The petitioner argued that the respondent had failed to declare the Defence Colony as a containment zone and also argued that there was a need for more beds and ventilators in the hospitals, as the number of Corona Patients was increasing. 

Respondent’s argument:

The respondent stated that only two houses in the Defence Colony included Corona Patients. The two houses are in the same lane, thus the lane was declared as a containment zone. Only two houses have Corona Patients, it does not need to declare the whole colony as a containment zone. 

All the hospitals should display the availability of beds on electronic boards. The Delhi Government was strictly complying with the directions of the Central Government. The Delhi Government also assured that they would increase the number of beds and ventilators in the hospitals.

Observation:

It was observed that Corona Patients were increasing day by day. More than 59,000 people were affected by Corona and until now 33.000 people were recovered from Corona and still many people were not recovered. Thus, the Delhi Government and the Central Government should increase the number of beds and ventilators in the hospitals.

Judgment:

The Hon’ble Delhi High Court said that only two houses have Corona Patients and the lane was declared as a container zone, thus it is not necessary to declare the whole colony as a container zone. But still, the number of Corona Patients was increasing day by day. Thus the Hon’ble Delhi High Court ordered the Delhi Government and the Central Government to increase the number of beds and ventilators in the Government and Private Hospitals.