Hospitals Have Become Industries, Thrive On Human Distress: Supreme Court

"Do we look at hospitals as a real estate industry, or as a service to humanity?" asked Bench of Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice MR Shah.

The Supreme Court on Monday observed that hospitals in the country have become large industries now thriving on human distress and it is better that they be shut down. "Do we look at hospitals as a real estate industry, or as a service to humanity?" asked Bench of Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice MR Shah. "Hospitals have become a large industry now based on human distress. We cannot allow them to prosper at the cost of human lives. Let such hospitals be closed and allow the state to bolster health care facilities. Let not such hospitals operate in buildings with four rooms etc.," said Justice Chandrachud while noting that a number of hospitals don't adhere to fire safety norms. Justice Chandrachud while noting that a number of hospitals don't adhere to fire safety norms. Justice Chandrachud gave an instance where one patient who had recovered from COVID-19 and was to be released from the hospital the next day was burnt alive and two nurses also died because of fire in the hospital.