IN RE : THE PROPER TREATMENT OF COVID 19 PATIENTS AND DIGNIFIED HANDLING OF DEAD BODIES IN THE HOSPITALS ETC. versus RE:

Citation: [2020] 6 S.C.R. 844 · Decided: 19-06-2020 · Supreme Court of India · Bench: ASHOK BHUSHAN, SANJAY KISHAN KAUL, M.R. SHAH · Disposal: Directions issued
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Judgment (excerpt)

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844
SUPREME COURT REPORTS
[2020] 6 S.C.R.
IN RE : THE PROPER TREATMENT OF COVID 19 PATIENTS
AND DIGNIFIED HANDLING OF DEAD BODIES IN THE
HOSPITALS ETC.
(Suo Motu Writ Petition (Civil) No. 7/2020)
JUNE 19, 2020
[ASHOK BHUSHAN, SANJAY KISHAN KAUL AND
M. R. SHAH, JJ.]
Public Health – Covid-19 pandemic – Lapses in care of Covid-
19 patients in different hospitals in National Capital Territory of
Delhi and other States – Suo motu writ petition – Held: Directions
issued for continuous supervision, monitoring of government
hospitals, Covid dedicated hospitals and other hospitals taking care
of Covid management – Directions also issued w.r.t Union of India’s
guidelines permitting one attendant of Covid-19 patient and
discharge policy – Further, Union of India may consider issuing
uniform directions to all the States and UTs w.r.t. reasonable rates
of various Covid related facilities/test for private hospitals/labs,
which may be made applicable across the country – Any variations
to be made with regard to any particular State/Union Territory be
specifically provided – Direction issued – Disaster Management
Act, 2005.
Issuing directions, the Court
HELD: 1.1 With the object of continuous supervision and
monitoring of government hospitals, Covid dedicated hospitals
and other hospitals taking care of covid management following
directions are issued -
(I) The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Union of
India, shall constitute Expert Committees consisting of: a) Senior
Doctors from Central Government hospitals in Delhi, b) Doctors
from GNCTD hospitals or other hospitals of Delhi Government,
c) Doctors from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, d)
Responsible officer from Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
(II) The Expert Committee shall inspect, supervise and issue
necessary directions to all Government hospitals, Covid hospitals
and other hospitals in NCT of Delhi taking care of Covid patients;
The Expert Committees shall ensure that at least one visit in
[2020] 6 S.C.R. 844
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each hospital be done weekly. (III) The team may in addition to
normal inspection shall also conduct surprise visits to assess the
preparedness of the hospitals. The expert team after visiting may
issue necessary instructions for improvement to the hospital
concerned and also forward its report to the Government of NCT
of Delhi and the Union of India, Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare. (IV) All States shall also constitute an expert team of
Doctors and other experts for inspection, supervision and
guidance of Government hospitals and other hospitals dedicated
to Covid-19 in each State who may inspect, supervise the hospitals
in the State and issue necessary directions for the improvement
to the concerned hospital and report to the Government. [Para
12][849-F-0H; 850-A-D]
1.2 The installation of CCTV Cameras in all the wards is a
welcome step which shall not only help the hospital management
to immediately find out the requirement of proper care with regard
to patients admitted in the wards but also ensure transparency in
the patients care in the hospital. Following directions are issued-
(V) Footage from the CCTV Cameras shall be made available by
the hospitals in NCT of Delhi to the inspecting/supervising expert
team or to any other authority or body as per directions of the
Union of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for
screening the footage and issuing necessary directions thereon.
(VI) In Government hospitals of GNCT, Delhi which are Covid
dedicated hospitals, where CCTV cameras have not been
installed, steps shall be taken to install CCTV Cameras in the
wards. (VII) The Chief Secretaries of other States shall also take
steps regarding installation of CCTV Cameras in Covid dedicated
hospitals where Covid patients are taking treatment to facilitate
the management of such patients and for the screening of the
footage by designated authorities or bodies so that remedial action
may be suggested and ensured. [Para 13][850-E-H; 851-A]
1.3 One of the guidelines by the Union of India is to permit
one attendant of Covid-19 patient. Directions- (VIII) All Covid-
dedicated hospitals shall permit one willing attendant of the
patient in the hospital premise, who can remain in an area
earmarked by the hospital. (IX) All Covid dedicated hospitals
IN RE : THE PROPER TREATMENT OF COVID 19 PATIENTS AND
DIGNIFIED HANDLING OF DEAD BODIES IN THE HOSPITALS
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846
SUPREME COURT REPORTS
[2020] 6 S.C.R.
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