Hyderabad: High Court gives nod for Covid-19 treatment in private hospitals

• The court also gives permission to private diagnostic labs to conduct Covid tests subject to that they are approved by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

• The ICMR will inspect and verify the infrastructure, doctors and other factors; will certify in the shortest possible time

Hyderabad: The High Court Division Bench comprising Justice M.S.Ramachandra Rao and Justice K.Lakshman permitted the private hospitals to extend medical aid to the Covid-19 patients. The court also gave its nod to private diagnostic laboratories to test the Covid-19 patients, subject to that they are approved by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

Hearing on public interest litigation through video conference on Wednesday, filed by GantaJaikumar seeking direction to the Telangana Government to permit all private hospitals to treat patients for Covid 19.

The Bench directed all private hospitals and laboratories to make an application to the ICMR, seeking its approval, to permit them to treat patients for Covid-19 and also test patients for Covid 19. The ICMR will inspect and verify the infrastructure, doctors and other factors will certify in the shortest possible time. The ICMR shall nominate qualified and experienced persons to scrutinize the said applications and conduct inspections of facilities, infrastructure in those hospitals and laboratories and accord permission within the shortest period of time.

The Bench opined that the State cannot compel the residents/citizens to get tested for Covid-19 in Gandhi Hospital or NIMS, designated by the State government. Those who are willing to shell out money for treatment and tests should be permitted to approach private hospitals to get the best treatment. Moreover, the Court set aside the proceedings of the Director, Public Health, restraining all private hospitals from extending medical aid to Covid-19 patients and private laboratories from conducting tests for Covid-19.