HC seeks Centre's reply on man's plea for free treatment

The Delhi High Court today sought response from the Centre and the Delhi government on a plea by a man seeking free treatment at AIIMS for his autoimmune disease which requires surgery costing Rs eight lakhs.
Justice Vibhu Bakhru issued notices to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Delhi government and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on the petition of 38-year-old Sarvesh, who suffers from Reiter's disease, and sought their replies by September 26.
The court also sought from the ministry, city government and AIIMS a solution on the issue raised in the petition.
Reiter's disease, also known as reactive arthritis, is an autoimmune condition that develops in response to an infection in another part of the body.

Sarvesh, who used to work as a casual labourer, has moved the high court as he has been left crippled and immobile because of the ailment and urgently requires a hip and knee replacement surgery which he cannot afford as it costs Rs eight lakh, his petition has said.
He has contended in his plea, filed through advocate Ashok Aggarwal, that he has been admitted in AIIMS but his surgery has not been performed as he could not pay the cost for it.

He submitted that Sarvesh urgently needs surgery as his condition could deteriorate further.
Sarvesh has said that his wife works as a domestic help and her salary is not sufficient to feed a family of four let alone pay for the surgery.

"The patient made several representations to AIIMS, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Government of India requesting them that the surgery be performed free of cost.
"However, the doctors at AIIMS reiterated that it could not be done until the amount is paid," the petition has said.