'Unfortunate state of affairs' at Lok Nayak Hospital: HC asks Delhi Govt to gear up

Justice Rekha Palli issued notice on the petition by one Ashish Pandey, who was admitted to LNJP, and asked the Delhi government to "set out steps to improve the working of the hospital".

"Just because you come on media, it doesn't mean it is working. This is not the first time that we are hearing it," the judge remarked as she expressed her displeasure at the alleged lapses.

"Some of this (allegations) must be true. I don't want to doubt him. He is not in the business (of medicine). There is no competition. There are limitations but you need to gear up," she added.

Lawyer Astik Gupta, representing the petitioner, claimed that no COVID-19 test was conducted on his client at the time of admission, there were 2-3 patients on each bed and three patients were taken to the ultrasound lab at a time.

The lawyer also alleged that the "dead bodies were lying on the bed for 15-20 hours" while the patients were on the floor.

The petition alleges that "each ward having around 72 beds, had only 2 PG second year Doctors under the supervision of 1 Senior Resident" reflecting the shortage of Doctors as for more than 250 patients (due to double/ triple occupancy on each bed), there were only 2 Post-graduation students and 1 Senior Resident Doctor".

"None replied to my representation.. I am not asking for everything under the sun but there is complete inaction (on part of LNJP)," he submitted.

"We are not out COVID. Every day ministers are saying please take care.. This is so-called one of your prestigious hospitals. I expect the hospital to gear up now," the judge said.

Delhi government counsel Anuj Aggarwal sought time from court to file a response on the petition.

In the petition, the petitioner has prayed for a direction to constitute a high-powered committee to look into and monitor the various lapses at LNJP and take necessary action at the earliest.

The plea also alleges that the hospital authorities have a "careless, callous and unbothered attitude" and due to shortage of guards and other similar staff itself, LNJP authorities were "keeping mobile phones as security for wheel-chairs and stretchers".

"(Petition) is preferred seeking to bring to this Hon'ble Court's kind notice the unfortunate state of affairs at LNJP Hospital whereby the life of Petitioner, as well as that of hundreds of other patients, is under threat," the plea reads.

The matter would be heard next on December 20.