SC Directs Private Hospitals To Give Priority Treatment To Senior Citizens

The Supreme Court on Thursday directed private hospitals and government medical institutions to provide priority admission and treatment to elderly people amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. 

A bench comprising of justices Ashok Bhushan and R S Reddy modified its earlier order of August 4, 2020, where SC had directed only government hospitals to give treatment priority to senior citizens taking note of their vulnerability to coronavirus.

The bench took note of the submission of senior advocate Ashwani Kumar, 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 the fresh suggestions made by Kumar to provide relief to the elderly people.

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 order was passed on the plea filed by former Union minister and senior advocate Kumar, who has sought directions with regard to elderly people saying they need more care and protection amid the pandemic.

The top court had last year directed that all eligible old age persons should be regularly paid pension and states should provide them necessary medicines, masks, sanitisers and other essential goods in wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The apex court had said that looking at their vulnerability to coronavirus, elderly people should be given priority in admission in the government hospital and in the event of any complaint made by them, the hospital administration shall take immediate steps to remedy their grievances.

(With inputs from PTI)