New Delhi: Delhi High Court has directed a private hospital in the city to provide free treatment to an acid attack survivor, who claimed she was turned away by them a few weeks ago.
The 28-year-old woman had been forced to drink acid, allegedly by her husband after an argument, in 2017. After being treated at various government hospitals over the years, she approached the private hospital in December 2023 to get further treatment.
The survivor’s mother, who works as a domestic helper and has been taking care of her, said after the attack, her daughter received a total compensation of Rs 4 lakh, which got exhausted early on during the treatment. She added that she decided to take her daughter to a private hospital as government centres lack many facilities. “Despite a legal obligation, the hospital did not allow my daughter admission and asked for an exorbitant fee,” she claimed.
The Supreme Court had in 2015 made it mandatory for all private hospitals in the country to provide full and free medical treatment to acid attack victims.
The family, with the help of Brave Souls Foundation, an NGO, knocked on the doors of HC on December 20, 2023.
In its order dated January 3, a single-judge bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad said, “It is made clear that in case the daughter of the petitioner requires admission and if any surgery is required, the same shall also be done by the hospital free of cost.” The hospital, acknowledging its obligation, agreed to provide treatment.
Brave Souls Foundation founder Shaheen Malik, who is also an acid attack survivor, said, “It is disheartening to learn that despite SC directives for free treatment for acid attack survivors, they still face significant challenges in accessing the necessary care.”
“The survivors, who mostly come from the economically weaker section, are forced to approach NGOs or lawyers to fight the legal battle, which adds to their woes. There is a need for better implementation of court directions so that the survivors do not have to beg for help,” she added.
The 28-year-old woman had been forced to drink acid, allegedly by her husband after an argument, in 2017. After being treated at various government hospitals over the years, she approached the private hospital in December 2023 to get further treatment.
The survivor’s mother, who works as a domestic helper and has been taking care of her, said after the attack, her daughter received a total compensation of Rs 4 lakh, which got exhausted early on during the treatment. She added that she decided to take her daughter to a private hospital as government centres lack many facilities. “Despite a legal obligation, the hospital did not allow my daughter admission and asked for an exorbitant fee,” she claimed.
The Supreme Court had in 2015 made it mandatory for all private hospitals in the country to provide full and free medical treatment to acid attack victims.
The family, with the help of Brave Souls Foundation, an NGO, knocked on the doors of HC on December 20, 2023.
In its order dated January 3, a single-judge bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad said, “It is made clear that in case the daughter of the petitioner requires admission and if any surgery is required, the same shall also be done by the hospital free of cost.” The hospital, acknowledging its obligation, agreed to provide treatment.
Brave Souls Foundation founder Shaheen Malik, who is also an acid attack survivor, said, “It is disheartening to learn that despite SC directives for free treatment for acid attack survivors, they still face significant challenges in accessing the necessary care.”
“The survivors, who mostly come from the economically weaker section, are forced to approach NGOs or lawyers to fight the legal battle, which adds to their woes. There is a need for better implementation of court directions so that the survivors do not have to beg for help,” she added.