The Delhi High Court has directed the AAP government to ensure free food and medical treatment for HIV-infected persons living below the poverty line. A bench headed by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma noted that several rehabilitation schemes and measures, including affordable treatment, were taken up by the Delhi government to provide assistance to HIV-infected patients.
The court observed that it (the government) is ensuring strict compliance under the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (Prevention and Control) Act 2017. The bench also includes Justice Subramaniam Prasad. The bench said in its order that it is clear that the AAP government is ensuring strict compliance under the statutory provisions of the 2017 Act.
In addition, the government has taken all possible steps to ensure that affordable treatment is available to persons suffering from HIV/AIDS, especially those who do not have the financial resources to do so. Delhi Kejriwal government has also been directed to ensure free food and medical treatment for HIV infected patients living below poverty line who are unable to get their treatment due to poverty.
The court order was passed on a petition by people suffering from HIV/AIDS and other multiple disabilities and diseases who were abandoned by their families and had no shelter. The court said that no further orders need to be passed on this petition and disposed of the petition. PLC/GT
