The Delhi High Court has recently issued a directive for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Delhi Government. This MoU must be signed by January 5, 2025, to implement the PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) scheme in Delhi. The Court emphasized the urgency of ensuring that the residents of Delhi benefit from the scheme’s funds and facilities.
Court’s Observations
A division bench, comprising Justice Prathiba M Singh and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora, highlighted the importance of fully implementing the scheme. The Court clarified that the MoU must be signed regardless of any Model Code of Conduct that may be in place, as the scheme is for the benefit of Delhi’s citizens. The bench noted that funds for one scheme cannot be diverted for other projects and stressed that the non-implementation of PM-ABHIM in Delhi is unjustified, especially since 33 states and union territories have already implemented it.
Background of the Case
This case originates from a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) initiated in 2017, addressing the shortage of ICU beds and ventilator facilities in Delhi’s government hospitals. In February, the Dr. S.K. Sarin Committee was formed to recommend ways to enhance medical infrastructure and optimize existing resources in hospitals managed by the Delhi Government and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).
Previous Directives
The Court had previously directed the Delhi Government to open Jan Aushadhi Kendras in every hospital in the national capital. It also urged the Delhi Government to implement PM-ABHIM on a pilot basis, followed by scaling it up across all hospitals in the city.
Concerns Over Medical Infrastructure
The bench had expressed concerns about the lack of adequate medical infrastructure to treat critical care patients. The Court had previously ordered the Delhi Government to disclose its expenditure on improving the health sector over the past five years and to file a status report on how it plans to keep medical infrastructure in line with the city’s growing population. Additionally, the Court directed the government to explore the feasibility of creating a central portal to provide real-time information about the availability of beds in all hospitals across Delhi.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What was the Delhi High Court’s order regarding the PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM)?
- A) To delay the signing of the MoU
- B) To sign the MoU by January 5, 2025
- C) To cancel the scheme
- D) To implement the scheme only partially
- Answer: B) To sign the MoU by January 5, 2025
- Which committee was formed to recommend improvements in medical infrastructure in Delhi?
- A) The Dr. S.K. Sarin Committee
- B) The Delhi Health Review Committee
- C) The PM-ABHIM Committee
- D) The Delhi Government Infrastructure Committee
- Answer: A) The Dr. S.K. Sarin Committee
- What was one of the previous directives issued by the Delhi High Court regarding Jan Aushadhi Kendras?
- A) To close the existing Jan Aushadhi Kendras
- B) To open Jan Aushadhi Kendras in every hospital
- C) To relocate Jan Aushadhi Kendras to private hospitals
- D) To stop funding for Jan Aushadhi Kendras
- Answer: B) To open Jan Aushadhi Kendras in every hospital
- What did the Delhi High Court express concern about regarding the city’s medical infrastructure?
- A) Overabundance of ICU beds
- B) Lack of medical infrastructure for critical care patients
- C) Excessive spending on medical infrastructure
- D) Insufficient population growth in Delhi
- Answer: B) Lack of medical infrastructure for critical care patients
- What did the Delhi High Court direct the Delhi Government to explore in relation to hospital bed availability?
- A) Creating a mobile app for bed reservations
- B) Setting up a central portal for real-time bed availability
- C) Limiting hospital admissions
- D) Increasing the number of private hospitals
- Answer: B) Setting up a central portal for real-time bed availability