Concerned over rise in dengue and chikungunya cases which have claimed several lives, the high court directed all hospitals in the city not to deny admission to dengue and chikungunya patients. The court also asked the Centre and Delhi government to engage retired personnel, if needed, to increase strength of doctors and paramedics to meet exigencies.

A bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal ordered that steps be taken by both governments to increase the strength of doctors, nurses and other staff in their hospitals by engaging “retired personnel, if so required, to meet the exigencies”.

The court also asked the Centre and the state government that awareness programmes be strengthened to prevent the vector-borne diseases. In its order it directed that all methods be used to advertise and showcase the measures of prevention.

“The Government of India as well as Government of NCT of Delhi shall take effective steps to ensure that the dengue/chikungunya patients are not denied treatment/admission in any of the hospital (government/private) of Delhi. ...Assistance of NGOs who are involved in such activities may also be taken,” the court said.