Delhi HC notice to centre, Safdarjung doctors

The Delhi High Court Wednesday issued notice to the centre, the Safdarjung Hospital here and its doctors over a plea seeking a code of conduct and grievance redressal platform for the hospital staff to prevent inconvenience to patients.

A division bench of Chief Justice D. Murugesan and Justice Jayant Nath sought a response by Aug 7 from the ministry of health and family welfare, the hospital and its resident doctors' association after hearing a public interest litigation (PIL).

The PIL, filed by two lawyers, said that patients had to face problems during last week's two-day strike by the hospital's resident doctors.

Joby P. Varghese and Arpit Bhargava, in their plea, said the protest should not have disrupted public health services as doctors are duty-bound to provide treatment to patients.

"They (doctors) are duty bound to provide treatment. In the last few days, the right to life has been violated numerous times," they told the court. The PIL also cited examples of people who were medical aid due to the strike.

Demanding better security, clean drinking water and an action plan for more hostel facilities for doctors, resident doctors of the Safdarjung Hospital had gone on strike on May 9 and May 15.

As per the news report, at least two people died at the hospital May 15 after authorities were forced to turn several patients away due to the strike.

The doctors had called off their strike after their representatives met some health ministry officials, who assured them that their demands would be fulfilled.