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The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Government to treat as representation a plea seeking appointment of sufficient number of Anesthetists/Specialists/Doctors at Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital under the Government of NCT of Delhi in the larger public interest.

The division bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh passed the order while hearing a plea filed by activist and Advocate Amit Sahni who has submitted that he has learnt through media reports that emergency ward of the Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital is not available from 4 pm to 8 am due to the shortage of anesthetists in the hospital.

On the Court’s query whether Sahni had made any representation to the government in this regard, Sahni said, “I have approached this Court straightaway since the relief sought requires immediate attention.”

The bench appreciated the Petitioner –Activist Amit Sahni, saying, “your cause is genuine.”

The court accordingly directed the concerned authorities to treat Sahni’s plea as a representation and decide it in accordance with law as expeditiously as possible.

Sahni has submitted that due to the absence of Anesthetists/Specialists/Doctors, pregnant women, particularly from weaker sections of the society, are denied admission in the Hospital for delivery of their babies.

Further, those who need an emergency C-section are also sent to other hospitals. Pregnant women in extreme labour pain and their relatives are suffering enormously, due to the denial of the hospital to provide any kind of medical help after 4 pm till 8 am.

It has been submitted that shortage of Anesthetists is not only causing problems to pregnant women who need a C-section but also to any operation that requires anesthesia.

“Relatives of patients are calling the police everyday when their kin are refused medical help during an emergency situation. Such patients are asked to shift their frail kin to other hospitals. This very situation is causing huge inconvenience, harassment and helplessness amongst the patients, their relatives and the hospital staff", the plea states.

Case Title: Amit Sahni vs Govt of NCT Delhi