2 Hospitals Issued Notice for Refusing to Admit Acid Victim

New Delhi: The Delhi Commission of Women (DCW) has issued show cause notices to two hospitals, including a government facility, for allegedly refusing admission to an acid attack victim.

The action was taken after DCW received a complaint from the brother of an acid attack victim, alleging that Apollo Hospital and Army Research and Referral Hospital had refused to treat the victim.

The girl was referred to Delhi by a hospital in Bihar and her condition was extremely serious as she had suffered severe burns on her face and body and her wounds were deeply infected, DCW chairperson Swati Maliwal said.

"The victim and her family first reached the Army Research and Referral Hospital on September 28 at 10 AM but were denied admission on the grounds that the victim was not a dependent member of serving personnel despite her having the dependency certificate.

"This is a serious dereliction of the orders of the Supreme Court. You are hereby served a notice to provide the reason for this lapse. You are directed to submit the above information within 48 hours of receipt of this letter failing which appropriate action under law will be initiated by the Commission," the notice issued by DCW chairperson said.

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The Commission also issued a notice to Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals in Sarita Vihar where the victim was refused admission for more than 3.5 hours.

"During this time, she was made to wait in the ambulance which had no air conditioning because of which her infection must have only worsened. It is further stated that one doctor and two staff members even visited the victim in the ambulance but took no steps to treat her and ignored her condition," the notice said.

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It was only after the intervention of the DCW and the Delhi government at 7.30 PM that she was admitted into the hospital.

"The complainant also states that even after the victim was admitted, before any treatment could be given, Rs 3.5 lakh advance was demanded by your hospital from the victim and her family. This is a serious dereliction of the orders of the Supreme Court.

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"Your inaction may have led to her condition worsening which may have posed a direct threat to her life. You are hereby served a notice to provide the reason for initial refusal to the victim and demanding money from the patient before treatment," the notice read.

The Commission also asked the hospital Medical Superintendent to fix responsibility on the staff and doctors and inform it about those responsible for this criminal lapse within 48 hours.

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DCW chief Maliwal said she had to personally intervene in the matter. She had visited Apollo hospital on the night of September 28 and threatened action only after which they agreed to admit the patient in the burns ward.

As per the Supreme Court directive of April 11, it is mandatory for private hospitals across the country to provide full and free medical treatment to the victims of acid attack.

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When contacted, an official at the Army Research and Referral Hospital said, "There are certain criterias and conditions laid down under the dependency certificate. We have to verify the details of this case."

Apollo hospital however refused to comment on the matter.

Delhi government also recently issued a directive, wherein it asked all government and private hospitals to treat acid attack victims free of cost.