Gauhati HC: Reply within a Week in Allegations of Denying Insured COVID Patients in Private Hospitals

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Gauhati High Court (GHC) has directed the Assam government to reply before the Court within a week on the allegations of denying insured COVID patients' admission to private hospitals despite directions issued in this regard by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) of India.

Petitioner's counsel A Chamuah in his interlocutory application in the PIL (24/2020) states that in Assam persons who are suffering from COVID, although they have an insurance cover are still not being admitted to private hospitals despite directions issued in this regard for taking care COVID patients (who have insurance cover), vide order of the Regulatory Authority dated 04.03.2020.

The Court says in its order that "at this stage, it must also be placed on record what has been stated before this Court by Mr D Saikia, learned Advocate General, Assam who states that on enquiry being done at their end, nine private hospitals were contacted in Guwahati, Dibrugarh and Bongaigaon and the replies which they had received from these private hospitals is that despite the late payment in many cases, have not denied admission to a patient suffering from COVID, except in some cases where the employees of the hospital were also suffering from COVID.

"Let this reply come before this Court within a week so that we are in a better position to examine the matter.

"Enquiries have also been made regarding the old lady, who was allegedly denied treatment from cancer as she was suffering from COVID. Certain information has been stated before this court verbally, according to which, she is presently in her home isolation with her husband. But a detailed reply to this effect shall also be filed before this court within a week."

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