Patients can not be denied admission due to non-availability of medical staff, says Bombay HC

If a hospital can not accommodate a patient, the authorities should help the patient reach another hospital, the court said.

Patients cannot be denied admission to a hospital on the ground of non-availability of medical and para-medical staff, it said.

"Even private doctors are under obligation to provide treatment. The preservation of human life is of paramount importance. Once life is lost, it cannot be restored.

"Every doctor, whether they are in government or private hospitals, is under obligation to extend their services," the court said.

"Private doctors cannot refuse to render their services during such a pandemic," it said adding it is the obligation of the state government to make available doctors and medical staff from all sources.

The bench was assured by the Indian Medical Association and a hospitals association that they would submit a list of all the private doctors who render services at hospitals across the city.

Nagpur district Collector informed the court that a task force of 12 doctors has been formed for assigning duties and responsibilities to all the doctors in hospitals.

The court posted the matter for further hearing on September 15.

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