As petitions mounted to challenge the Delhi Government’s move to reserve state-run hospitals and private hospitals for COVID-19 treatment of only "bonafide residents" of Delhi, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Anil Baijal has issued an order directing all authorities concerned to ensure that medical treatment is not be denied to any person on the grounds of being a non-resident of Delhi.
The Order has been issued by Baijal in his capacity as the Chairperson of Delhi Disaster Management Authority.
While recognizing “Right to Health” as an integral part of “Right to Life” under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, the Order states,
“..all Government and private hospitals and nursing homes situated in the NCT of Delhi have to extend medical facilities to all COVID-19 cases coming for monitoring/treatment without any discrimination (of being a non-resident of NCT of Delhi)..”
In response to the Lieutenant Governor's Order, Delhi Chief Minsiter Arvind Kejriwal has tweeted that it was perhaps God's wish that the Delhi Government serve the entire nation.
Remarking that although it was a challenge to provide treatment to everyone, Kejriwal has said that the Government will try to accommodate all.
In a Press Conference, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had claimed that the decision was taken after thorough deliberations to ensure that people of Delhi could get beds and treatment.
As many as three petitions had already been moved before the Delhi High Court to challenge the controversial policy.
The petitioners have contended that the policy was liable to be struck down for being in violation of Article 14, 15 and 21 of the Constitution of India.