AIIMS Takes Action to Shelter Patients' Families During Cold Wave
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) informed the Delhi High Court on Friday that it has provided land to the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (Dusib). This land will be used to erect approximately 80 night shelters for families of patients who have been forced to sleep on the streets amid the ongoing cold wave.
Immediate Relief and Long-Term Solution
AIIMS assured the court that it will construct a 3,000-bed rest house to permanently house such people. The institute was responding to a notice from the high court regarding steps being taken to ensure that kin and attendants of poor patients are not left to fend for themselves in the winter chill.
The bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia reviewed the progress after the court took suo motu cognisance of a news report. This report highlighted the pitiable condition of patients and their relatives while they awaited treatment.
Court Directs Cooperation and Fundraising
Advocate Satya Ranjan Swain, representing AIIMS, told the court that the institute accepts donations to increase its capacity. The bench then called upon the Delhi High Court Bar Association to raise funds for the proposed revamp of Vishram Sadan at AIIMS. The court recalled donations made by the Bar during the Punjab floods.
The court asked all authorities to cooperate with AIIMS. It added that it expected the facility to be constructed within the minimum time possible.
Welfare State's Duty and Current Measures
On Wednesday, the court underscored that in a welfare state, it is the bounden duty of a government to provide adequate shelter to those awaiting treatment in hospitals. This includes major hospitals like AIIMS, RML Hospital, Lady Hardinge, Safdarjung Trauma Centre, and Vardhman Mahavir Medical College. The court directed authorities to provide adequate night shelter to meet the current exigency caused by the cold wave.
During the hearing, Dusib said 20 pagoda tents were set up near AIIMS and Safdarjung. More tents would be erected by the evening. Dusib counsel added that twenty tents each were also erected near RML and Lady Hardinge.
Multi-Agency Response and Monitoring
Delhi Police counsel said nodal officers were appointed for 24x7 monitoring. The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) said it is providing amenities such as water and portable toilets.
Appreciating the steps taken, the court stated, "We have a feeling that in the last two days, the situation has improved." It also noted, "Efforts from all concerned are being made in right earnest to address the problem faced by homeless attendants of patients in and around the hospitals."
The court said it expected the nodal officers of all agencies to be on constant vigil to address any deficiencies. It ordered another meeting of stakeholders under the chairmanship of the principal district judge, south, on January 24. The matter will be heard next on January 27.
