Delhi HC asks Centre to release ₹10 crore to AIIMS for treatment of rare diseases

Delhi High Court orders Centre to release funds for rare disease treatment, refusing to recall previous directive.

The Delhi High Court has refused to recall its order directing the Centre to release ₹10 crore to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here to continue the treatment of 18 patients suffering from rare disease.

Justice Prathiba M. Singh said the treatment of the 18 patients had already begun and discontinuation of the treatment would have a negative repercussion on their health. The court said in its September 27 order if the amount was not released within three working days, the Joint Secretary of the Union Health Ministry had to be present in the court on the next date of hearing.

“Under such circumstances, withholding the treatment of these 18 patients would be completely unjust and contrary to law, as the same would have a debilitating effect on their general living condition and health,” Justice Singh said.

Also Read: AIIMS Delhi constitutes two committees to assess safety measures at campus

The Centre had sought to recall the September 13 order of the court by which it was directed to release a sum of ₹10 crore to AIIMS, Delhi to continue the treatment of the 18 patients.

These children have already been administered medicines under the National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD), 2021.

In its application, the Centre had submitted that the budgeted amount for the AIIMS was already exhausted and there were other centres of excellence that had requested for release of funds.