PIL on facilities for pregnant women at Govt hospitals: HC seeks Delhi, Center reply

In the petition filed through lawyer Tripti Poddar, the petitioners have claimed that they suffered a huge financial burden on account of the government facilities'' inability to provide them health services, such as antenatal checkups and ultrasound, during the pregnancy.

The petition said that the petitioners are entitled to several monetary and non-monetary benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) and other nutrition and health programs.

However, the authorities were "irresponsibly and recklessly shying away from their duties and obligations", causing grave distress to the petitioners, the petition alleged.

"During the ongoing COVID pandemic the Respondent No. 2 (Delhi Govt)and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) have highlighted the increased vulnerability, and susceptibility to pregnant women, lactating mother, and infant children during the ongoing pandemic, yet the Respondents here have failed to implement any tangible measures to ensure safe access to medical facilities to pregnant women during the pandemic,"

The petitioners have prayed that the authorities ensure the availability of COVID-19 protocol compliant specialized hospitals for pregnant women as well as lactating mothers.

It also urged that authorities provide adequate COVID 19 protective gear to frontline health workers to enable them to provide services to pregnant women and lactating mothers during the ongoing COVJD-19 pandemic.

The matter would be heard next on October 28.

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