The Delhi High Court on Monday directed the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to provide immediate treatment to an undertrial from Jharkhand, who is awaiting surgery for removal of a brain tumour.
Justice Vibhu Bakhru passed the direction on a plea filed by the Peoples’ Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR). Justice Bakhru asked the SHO, Hauz Khas, and the AIIMS authorities to provide immediate treatment to Chandan Deonath.
When the patient along with his brother approached the AIIMS, the doctors who attended him reportedly asked him to come for an MRI on September 9 and the report of which would be got on September 26 before beginning further course of treatment.
The patient is at present staying at Hauz Khas police station. The petitioner also urged the Court to issue directions to the Centre and Jharkhand and the Delhi Police to devise a mechanism by empanelling hospitals and providing the police or jail authorities with details thereof so that an incident like the present one does not happen again.
Deonath was initially treated at the Ranchi Institute of Medical Sciences. He was later referred to the AIIMS for surgery. He is also paralysed on the right side of his body.
“There is a waiting list. The patient will be put on the list for treatment or any further investigation as suggested by the doctor. No special privileges will be given to any patient even if he is a prisoner,’’ AIIMS spokesperson told The Hindu on Saturday when asked about the complaint lodged by the patient’s brother regarding negligence in treatment. Chandan had been lodged in Shivkela jail, Jamshedpur, for the last seven years in cases of rioting and theft.
