Delhi High Court Mandates Rs 10 Crore Release for AIIMS to Treat Rare Disease Patients

The Delhi High Court has instructed the Centre to release Rs 10 crore to AIIMS for continuing treatment of 18 patients with rare diseases. Despite the Centre’s contention on budget exhaustion, the court emphasized the critical need for continuous medical care. Further hearings are scheduled for October 3.

The Delhi High Court has mandated the Centre to release Rs 10 crore to AIIMS, enabling the continued treatment of 18 patients with rare diseases such as DMD and Gaucher disease. The court underlined that stopping treatment would severely impact the patients' health and general living conditions.

Justice Prathiba M Singh emphasized that the funds should be released within three working days, cautioning that failure to comply would result in the Union health ministry's joint secretary having to appear in court. This ruling comes despite the Centre's application to recall the previous order, citing exhausted funds.

AIIMS, recognized as a nodal excellence center for treating rare diseases, has already commenced administering medicines under NPRD, 2021. The court acknowledged the need for additional funds and highlighted AIIMS' accountability in managing the allocated money for patients' treatments.

(With inputs from agencies.)