New Delhi, Feb 27 (IANS) The Delhi High Court Friday directed AIIMS to provide free treatment to a two-year-old boy, suffering from Gaucher's disease, a genetic disorder.
Justice Rajiv Shakdher also issued notice to union health ministry, Delhi government and AIIMS and sought their response by May 5. It also asked the ministry to consider increasing the health budget.
The court was hearing a plea filed by a man turned away by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) as he was unable to pay Rs.4.75 lakh per month for his son Shiv's enzyme replacement therapy.
The plea also raised the question as to whether the government hospital is duty-bound under the constitution to give free treatment to all patients who cannot afford expensive medicines.
Advocate Ashok Agarwal, appearing for Vikas Sahu, said his client is a street-vendor of steel utensils earning around a meagre Rs.3,000 a month but being the sole bread earner for his family including his wife, parents and son Shiv.
Gaucher's disease is a genetic disorder which causes fat to accumulate in cells and certain organs and is characterised by bruising, fatigue, anaemia, low blood platelets and enlargement of the liver and spleen. Some forms of Gaucher's disease may be treated with enzyme replacement therapy.
"Shiv was diagnosed with the deadly disease about six months back. He is in a critical condition with hepatosplenomegaly (enlargement of liver and spleen) resulting in protrusion of abdomen so much so that the child is finding it difficult to breathe... He also has a stone in the kidney to worsen his situation," said the plea.
The plea added that the kid was recently admitted to AIIMS on Feb 10 and discharged on Feb 17 after receiving blood and platelets transfusion at least four to five times so far.
The doctors have recommended urgent initiation of enzyme replacement therapy to save his life, the plea said but the cost at Shiv's present weight is estimated at Rs.4.75 lakh per month and would increase with increase in his weight, it added.
HPU Shimla: 4,493 students passed in environmental science after getting grace marks, revised results released
In the case of poor results of UG first year declared by Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), only 144 students have passed in all three faculties after awarding five marks grace marks in Environmental
IPL 2021: Will Afghan cricketers Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi play in UAE? Sunrisers made a big statement
Following the ongoing political turmoil in Afghanistan, it was expected that the country's top cricketers Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi would not play for the rest of the upcoming IPL season. The
Parliament: Now members will not be able to raise slogans during oath-taking in Lok Sabha, Speaker Om Birla amended the rule
After some members of the Lok Sabha raised slogans during the oath, Speaker Om Birla amended the rule, according to which elected MPs cannot make any additional comments while taking oath as a member
GST Revenue: GST revenue increased by 15 percent in December 2022, Finance Ministry gave information
GST revenue in the country has increased by 15 percent to more than Rs 1.49 lakh crore in December 2022. According to the Finance Ministry, the gross GST revenue during December stood at Rs 1,49,507
Mumbai City FC : Star footballers will be seen in the Indian Super League, see the list of foreign players from 11 teams
With the 2022-23 season of the Indian Super League (ISL) coming to a close, the clubs have sealed their list of foreign players. Foreign players have had a lot of influence in the ISL. Many foreign
Train Tickets: Railways has started this new facility, which will get rid of long queues for ticketing
If you too are planning to travel by train during this summer vacation and are worried about the long queues at the ticket counters of railway stations, then this news is for you. Keeping in mind the
Rashid Khan reminds world champion Australia, Nani, fought till the last ball, the whole world is saluting
If Rashid Khan is called the best player of the T20 format, it is not said in the air and the way he batted against the current world champions and hosts Australia in the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 will
WPI: Wholesale inflation eases to 4.95% in December, impact of fall in prices of food items
India's wholesale price inflation eased from 5.85% in November to 4.95% in December 2022, mainly due to fall in prices of food articles and crude petroleum products.
57-hour curfew in Ahmedabad, decision on curfew in Surat and Vadodara till tonight
Concerns about increasing cases of corona in the country are increasing everywhere. A curfew of 57 hours is being imposed in Ahmedabad from 9 pm tonight. It will remain till six in the morning of 23
Ola is accused of releasing telemetry data of accident, injured's father warns company owner!
A few days back, an accident took place in Guwahati, allegedly due to a defect in an Ola electric scooter. The driver was seriously injured in this. After the incident, the victim's father had
