Question

What did the Court say in the case of Hakim Sheik?

Answer 1

Hint:
 Hakim Sheik was the founder of the West Bengal farmworkers' union Paschim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samity. He accidentally fell off a moving train one night in 1992 and was injured. He was very determined and needed immediate medical attention.


Complete solution:
The court ruled that the hardships faced by Hakim Sheik could cost him his life. If a hospital cannot provide a person with timely treatment, it means that health care is not provided. The court also ruled that it was the government's responsibility to provide necessary medical services, including emergency medical care. Hospitals and medical staff must fulfil their role of providing essential medicines. As various government hospitals refused to accept him, the State Government was asked to provide Hakim Sheik with the money he had spent on his treatment. He was introduced to the govt. at a hospital in Kolkata, however, because they had no other bed to hold on to and refused to accept him. There were no special equipment or specialists in his hospital care. He was taken in critical condition in 8 different govt. hospitals for about 14 hours, but no one accepted him. Finally, at a private hospital, he received treatment. She had spent a lot of money on her treatment. Hakim Sheik and PBKMS brought the case to court in anger and frustration over the negligence of all the hospitals that refused to accept him.

Note:
Public health work is a series of government-run health facilities and hospitals. They are connected together to cover rural and urban areas and can provide treatment for all kinds of problems - from common ailments to specialized services.