The Delhi High Court has directed DUSIB to prepare yearly contingency plans to protect patients and their attendants from extreme heat and cold while staying outside government hospitals. The order came after the court took note of the “pitiable condition” of people camping outside AIIMS for treatment.
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday passed an important order to protect poor patients and their family members who are forced to stay outside government hospitals in Delhi during extreme weather conditions.
The Court directed the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) to prepare emergency action plans every year to safeguard people camping outside hospitals from heatwaves in summer and cold waves in winter.
ALSO READ: Delhi High Court Forms Committee to Boost Rare Disease Crowdfunding and Save SMA Patients
The High Court clearly stated that two short-term contingency plans must be prepared annually by DUSIB—one for extreme summer heat and another for severe winter cold. These plans will only be implemented after getting approval from the monitoring committee that is supervising this issue.
The order was passed by a bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia while hearing a suo motu case.
The High Court had taken suo motu cognisance after reading a news report highlighting the “pitiable condition” of patients and their attendants who were forced to sleep on roads and footpaths while waiting for treatment outside the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi.
The bench gave clear timelines for preparing and implementing these plans. It said that the summer action plan should be prepared during January and February and must be implemented when heatwave conditions begin in May and June.
The court also allowed flexibility to extend the summer plan during July and August if required. Similarly, the winter action plan should be prepared during July and August and implemented during December, January, and February to deal with cold wave conditions.
The court further directed that these emergency action plans must be placed before the principal district judge, south, during coordination meetings. Only after approval from the principal district judge can the plans be put into operation on the ground.
During the hearing, the court took note of a detailed status report submitted by AIIMS. The report explained the various welfare and support measures that have been jointly implemented for patients and their attendants staying in and around the AIIMS campus.
According to the report, the main focus areas included shelter facilities, transportation support, safety arrangements, hygiene, food distribution, and continuous on-ground monitoring.
The report stated that coordinated efforts were being strengthened with the help of several government bodies and agencies, including the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Central Public Works Department (CPWD), Public Works Department (PWD), Delhi Police, and other concerned departments.
As per the status report, AIIMS has increased and improved shelter facilities at multiple designated locations within and around its campus. These shelters collectively have a capacity of around 750 beds, and all of them were fully occupied, showing both high demand and effective use of the facilities.
The report also highlighted proactive steps taken by AIIMS security staff along with the Delhi Police. Patients and attendants who were earlier waiting on footpaths were shifted to designated pagoda shelters in an organised manner.
The report stated,
“This has ensured orderly relocation, enhanced safety, and prevention of exposure to harsh weather. Free-of-cost e-shuttle services have also been provided for the safe internal movement of patients and attendants,”
In addition to shelter and transport, food arrangements were also made for the people staying at these shelters. According to the report, food support was arranged through the Society for Promotion of Youth and Masses (SPYM), a non-profit organisation.
SPYM provided two meals every day along with morning tea at all shelter locations, ensuring that food distribution was done in an organised and systematic manner.
The report further mentioned that security arrangements were strengthened to maintain safety at the shelter sites. AIIMS deployed its security staff round the clock at key pagoda shelters. These measures also included joint supervision and crowd regulation with the Delhi Police, especially during late evening and night hours.
“As of January 22, all pagoda shelters are fully occupied by patients and their attendants during night hours, underscoring the continued need for sustained vigil and capacity management.”
This case highlights the judiciary’s concern for the dignity, safety, and basic human needs of patients and their families who depend on public hospitals and often have no option but to stay outdoors while seeking medical care.
Click Here to Read More Reports On Exam Website
FOLLOW US FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES ON YOUTUBE
