Acid Attack Survivor Denied Treatment: HC on Providing Free Treatment
Image Source: The Citizen
New Delhi: In 2015, the Supreme Court made it mandatory for all private hospitals nationwide to provide free treatment to all acid attack survivors. Despite this, a Delhi-based acid attack survivor was denied treatment by a private hospital, which further forced the survivor’s mother to seek help from the high court.
Delhi High Court has directed private hospitals to provide free-of-cost treatment to the acid attack survivor who was turned away by them a few weeks ago. The court reminded the hospitals of the statement made in 2015 and said that hospitals still not abiding by these rules are a matter of concern.
The survivor, a 28-year-old woman, was forced by her husband to drink acid after an argument, after which she had been taken care of by her mother. In 2017, after receiving treatment at various government hospitals, she moved to a private hospital in December 2023 to receive further treatment where she was shunned away.
The survivor’s mother, who works as a domestic help, had been taking care of her daughter and said that after the attack, her daughter received a total compensation of Rs. 4 lakhs, which got exhausted early on during the treatment. She added that she decided to take her daughter to a private hospital as government hospitals lack many facilities. “Despite being legally obliged, the hospital not only denied the request for admission of my daughter but also demanded an exorbitant fee,” she claimed.
The Supreme Court had made it mandatory in 2015 for all private hospitals to provide free treatment to all acid attack survivors. The family then, with the help of the Brave Souls Foundation, an NGO, knocked on the doors of the High Court on December 20, 2023. In its order, dated January 3, a single bench of Justice Subhramonium Prasad said, “It is made clear that in case the petitioner’s daughter requires any treatment or surgery, the same shall be done by the hospital free of cost.” Following this, the hospital realized its obligation and agreed to provide treatment.
Brave Souls Foundation CEO Shaheen Malik, who is also an acid attack survivor, commented, “It is disheartening to learn that despite the Supreme Court’s directives for acid attack survivors, they still face challenges in getting the necessary care.” “The survivors who mostly come from economically weaker sections are forced to approach NGOs and lawyers to fight the legal battle, which adds to their further woes. There is a serious need for better directions of the court’s order so that the survivors don’t have to beg for help,” she added.
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