Supreme Court moots nationwide SOP for trauma care facilities

The Supreme Court recently opined that a common Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was required to ensure that trauma care facilities are accessible to citizens across India [Savelife Foundation & Anr v. Union of India & Ors].

A Bench of Justices JK Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi observed that the formulation of such an SOP must take place in consultation with all state governments and union territories so that citizens are not left without recourse in medical emergencies.

The Court also asked Attorney General for India R Venkataramani to take the lead on the issue.

"...we deem it appropriate to request learned Attorney General for India to provide assistance of his good office in scrutinizing the stands of different State Governments and Union Territories and after an opportunity to the petitioners, he may submit a report with respect to the recourse which can possibly be taken in the facts and looking to the prayer made in the Writ Petition."

A report was sought from the AG's office in six months.

The Court was hearing a petition filed by the non-profit organisation Save Life Foundation, which had sought uniform trauma care facilities across the country. The petition argued that the absence of standardised emergency protocols violated citizens’ fundamental rights.

The petition has been filed through Advocate Malvika Kapila.

[Read Order]