The Delhi High Court has asked the Delhi Government to ensure that citizens can access real-time information on hospital beds and doctors during emergencies through the Health Management Information System (HMIS).
A bench of Chief Justice Prabha M. Singh and Justice Maneet Pritam Singh Arora was hearing a suo motu case filed in 2017 concerning the shortage of ICU beds and increasing attacks on doctors. The Court noted that patients often struggle to find ICU beds or essential OPD and IPD services on time.
The bench suggested that the government should consider making such information available to the public via a web portal or mobile app linked to HMIS. This, the Court said, would be especially useful for critical patients who otherwise go from hospital to hospital in search of treatment.
During the hearing, the Health Secretary informed the Court that the recommendations of the Dr. S.K. Sarin committee had been considered while developing HMIS. The Court then directed the AIIMS Director to convene a meeting with all stakeholders and submit a status report before the next hearing.
The Health Secretary has also been asked to provide details on:
- The total number of HMIS modules planned.
- The modules that are already functional and their current status.
- The modules yet to be implemented, along with timelines.
According to a Live Law report, the Court also wants clarity on whether HMIS can connect patients calling the helpline directly with hospitals that have vacant beds and available specialists. The judges emphasized that the core purpose of HMIS is to make hospital services accessible to citizens, particularly in emergency situations.
Separately, the bench directed the UPSC to continue with the recruitment of radiologists and forward dossiers to the Delhi Government. It also reiterated that hiring of nursing and paramedical staff must not be delayed. The Court said appointments should be made as soon as results are announced, without waiting for recruitment to other posts.
The matter will be heard again on October 31, 2025.
Earlier in the proceedings, the Court had expressed concern that while patient numbers in Delhi hospitals have grown significantly, the increase in doctors and specialists has not kept pace. This imbalance, the Court noted, has contributed to a rise in violence against medical professionals. Over the years, several directions have been issued to improve hospital management, including at AIIMS.
