OBC strike: SC notices to Health Ministry, MCI

New Delhi, July 24: The Supreme Court today issued notices to the Union Health Ministry and Medical Council of India (MCI) on a PIL seeking action against AIIMS doctors who refused to attend to emergency patients during the anti-reservation strike from May 13 to May 31.

The petition filed by an organisation called ''People for better treatment'' has pleaded that refusal of a doctor to attend a critically ill patient involves violation of chapter 2 of the code of ethics regulations, 2002. It says a physician must treat the patient in case of emergency.

A bench comprising Justices Arijit Pasayat and Lokeshwar Singh Panta issued notices returnable within six weeks.

Petitioner's counsel M N Krishnami contended that such refusal amounts to criminal negligence on part of a doctor. He said they have no right to shut down emergency services even during the strike as it involves fundamental right to life of a patient guaranteed under article 21 of the constitution.

The petitioner prayed to directed the respondent to take disciplinary action against all registered medical practioners refusing to provide emergency medical assistance to a patient.

They also prayed for directing the MCI to spread the message to all doctors as well as the people through advertisements across the country that emergency services cannot be shut down under any circumstances.

Several patients had died during the anti-reservation stir.

The doctors at AIIMS again struck work when AIIMS director Dr P Venugopal was sacked by the Health Ministry.

UNI