Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk is admitted to Safdarjung Hospital. According to doctors, his health is currently stable. Wangchuk is still continuing his fast. Meanwhile, the Resident Doctors Association (RDA) of Safdarjung Hospital has written a letter to President Draupadi Murmu, demanding his intervention in the recent developments.
In its four-page letter, the association has expressed serious concerns regarding the security arrangements, patient liberty, medical ethics and functioning of the hospital during Sonam Wangchuk’s hospitalization. RDA has demanded an independent, impartial and time bound investigation into the entire matter. The RDA said that the decision on Wangchuk’s health condition and the need to keep him in hospital should be based on independent medical examination and the judgment of doctors. However, any competent patient has the right to receive treatment with dignity, respect, informed consent and in accordance with medical ethics.
Questions raised on not allowing LAMA
The RDA also expressed concern over reports claiming that Wangchuk was not allowed to leave the hospital on his own volition, despite being a competent patient. The association said that if this is true then it raises serious questions regarding the patient’s consent, personal freedom and constitutional rights. The association said that if Wangchuk, despite being a capable patient, could not get permission to leave the hospital on his own will i.e. Leave Against Medical Advice (LAMA), then it is a matter of serious concern. This raises questions related to the patient’s personal freedom, informed consent and constitutional rights. The RDA said that while hospitals are places of treatment and care, they should not be considered places of detention unless there is clear legal permission and appropriate procedures in place to detain a person,
Referring to the case of Sonam Wangchuk, RDA said that she had been fasting since the beginning of July demanding accountability in India’s education system. He had participated in protests against alleged paper leak in competitive examinations and demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Apart from this, he was also raising voice in support of statehood and constitutional demands for Ladakh.
Concern expressed regarding tight security arrangements in the hospital
RDA also expressed concern over the tight security arrangements made during Wangchuk’s hospitalization. The RDA said that there should be an independent investigation into the reports of entry being restricted in some parts of the hospital, deployment of large number of security forces and general hospital arrangements being affected. The association said that if due to security arrangements the treatment of patients, access to the hospital or everyday functioning is hampered, then it is a serious matter. RDA said that even if security arrangements are necessary, they should be balanced and should not interfere with the independent medical functioning of the hospital.
Wangchuk was admitted to Safdarjung Hospital by the police on July 18 following the order of the Delhi High Court. After this, doctors expressed concern over the alleged strict security arrangements made in the hospital. RDA said that there have been reports of limiting the movement of people in some parts of the hospital, closing some parts of the campus and heavy security forces have been deployed on several floors.
Demand for an impartial investigation into the actions taken during the protest
Along with this, RDA also demanded an independent, impartial and time-bound investigation into the alleged lathi charge and use of tear gas against the protesters at Jantar Mantar. The association said that if the reports of use of force on peaceful protesters are true, then it raises questions about constitutional rights and the appropriate limits of use of force. Apart from this, a fair investigation has also been demanded into the complaints of alleged bullying and misbehavior against the teachers and students of Lady Hardinge Medical College.
‘Hospitals should stay away from political interests’
The RDA said that the hospital administration should remain the independent guardian of medical ethics and patients’ interests. The perception that government hospitals or health workers are being used for non-medical or political purposes can also weaken people’s trust in the institutions.
The association has called on the President to conduct an independent investigation into the recent incidents, ensure the rights of capable patients are protected, fix accountability in case of violation of constitutional rights, and protect health workers from intimidation or violence. RDA clarified that its letter is not political, but concerns issues related to patients’ rights and independence of medical institutions.
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