With the ongoing pandemic, the Supreme Court on Monday observed that the hospitals have become large industries. And it would be better if they are closed.
Supreme Court Says Hospitals Have Become “Real Estate Industry”
As per the latest reports, a bench comprising of Justices D.Y Chandrachud and M.R Shah said that the hospitals have become large industries that are based on human distress. Following this, they said that hospitals cannot be allowed to prosper like that.
“Let such hospitals be closed”, said the bench.
ALSO READ: Supreme Court Questions Validity Of Sedition Law After 75 Years of Independence
The bench cited an incident where the patient has recovered from Covid 19 and had to be released the next day. However, he died due to the fire and two of the nurses were burnt alive. The bench said that these are human tragedies and extending times for these hospitals (may not be feasible).
The bench pulled up the Gujarat government for extending the deadline for hospitals in connection with building use permissions. They further added that state governments can provide better hospitals and facilities instead of permitting private hospitals to run from small residential buildings. They said that the hospitals have become a “real estate industry” and have become “money-minting machines”.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta Submitted Building Permissions For Patients
This comes after the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had submitted before the bench that to visualise the impact if a 10-story building with 4-5 bedded hospital which could be required to treat Covid 19 patients. He added that if the buildings are to be closed, 30,000 beds could become unavailable.
Following this, Justice Chandrachud said that there is no point in lapsing the nursing homes which are not supposed to be in those places. The bench added that it was for the State to provide those facilities and Covid care centers.
