Delhi HC Challenges ILBS Policy on EWS Healthcare Access

The Delhi High Court has sought a response from the Delhi government on a plea challenging the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) policy that restricts free treatment to only a fraction of its beds and cases for economically weaker sections (EWS).

Advocate Satyakam, representing the petitioning NGO Social Justice, argued that the ILBS policy, which converts it into a predominantly paid institution, violates Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution by denying needy patients affordable healthcare.

The petition contends that government-funded hospitals should ensure equitable access and urges the court to either make ILBS increase its free treatment quota substantially or provide complete free treatment to the general public.