What are you doing about Abandoned patients? UP HC asks state government

Allahabad: The Allahabad High Court has issued a directive to the Uttar Pradesh Government, demanding specific details regarding the formulated policies and the funds set aside for hospitals around the state to treat patients who have been abandoned.

The court was considering a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Jyoti Rajpoot about the medical treatment of abandoned patients. A bench comprising Justice Attau Rahman Masoodi and Justice Om Prakash Shukla was informed by Anupama Singh, the Additional Chief Standing Counsel, that an abandoned patient was receiving treatment at Dr. Shayama Prasad Mukherjee Civil Hospital in Lucknow.

While the patient was reportedly receiving appropriate care, the court raised concerns about the absence of a clear budget and specific treatment facilities for such individuals within the state's healthcare system. When questioned about a budget and specific strategies and facilities for treating such patients, the Learned Additional Chief Standing Counsel was unable to clarify whether any budget for such patients and any specific place for treatment has been identified in the State hospitals.

The court stated, "In case, there is any such facility created by the state government for the treatment of such patients, it is open to the authorities concerned to take aid of the local police to transfer the patient to a place where her treatment is carried out by providing all the necessary facilities."

The state government should provide clear instructions regarding the budgetary allocation and the treatment facilities for abandoned patients. "The hospitals where such treatment is offered need to be publicized so that wherever the cases of unattended/abandoned patients come to the notice of the public or any public authority, or a public-spirited person, necessary mechanism is invoked so as to ensure effective and timely treatment of such patients," said the bench.

Additionally, the court directed that a copy of this order be forwarded to the Secretary of the State Legal Services Authority, UP, Lucknow, to facilitate further action and coordination between the concerned authorities.

To read the full order, click on the following link