Question

What happened to Hakim Sheik?

Answer 1

Hint: A series of government-run health institutions and hospitals make up public health work. They are linked to cover both rural and urban areas and can address a wide range of issues, from basic ailments to specialised treatments. Hakim Sheik was a member of West Bengal's Paschim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samity (PBKMS), a farmer's organisation.

Complete answer:
Hakim Sheik received severe head injuries when he fell from a running train one evening in 1992 while travelling. Hakim Sheik filed a lawsuit in court after several government hospitals refused to admit him despite the fact that he needed immediate medical assistance. When he was transferred to a government hospital in Kolkata, he was denied admittance since there were no available beds. Another hospital refused to admit him because they lacked the requisite facilities and specialised specialists to treat him.
He was in a critical condition for 14 hours, and nearly eight different government hospitals refused to admit him.

Finally, he was obliged to seek treatment in a private hospital, for which he had to pay exorbitant fees. Hakim Sheikh was enraged that he had gone untreated and that the government's conditions had changed.Thus, Hakim Sheik filed a lawsuit in court after several government hospitals refused to admit him despite his urgent need for care.

The court found that Hakim Sheik's hardships could lead to his death. If a hospital is unable to treat a patient in a timely manner, health care is not being provided. The court also decided that the government was responsible for providing required medical services, such as emergency medical treatment. Hospitals and medical personnel must fulfil their obligations to provide essential medical care. Because he was turned down by several government hospitals, the State Government was urged to reimburse Hakim Sheik for the money he had spent on his treatment.


Note: According to our Constitution, the government's principal responsibility is to ensure the welfare of the people and to provide health-care services. The Indian Constitution not only provides for people's health care, but also directs the government to take steps to improve people's healthcare.