Another issue discussed was the availibility of ICU beds and whether people have information regarding the same. The Court observed that there is a shortage of ICU beds, even at leading hospitals.
Delhi government standing counsel Sameer Vashisht, meanwhile, informed the Court that a designated toll-free helpline number – 102 – has been created for getting information regarding the availability of ICU beds in Delhi hospitals.
Justice Singh asked a government officer to call on the helpline during the hearing before the Court. When the call went unattended, the Court proceeded to seek details of the number of operators manning such calls.
The Court was informed that there are 30 phone lines and 30 operators who are operating the helpline, while the total calls received on the number are around 2,200 per day.
The Court expressed that this was not enough, and that there is a need to scale up the number of helpline operators.
“There are only 30 lines? Itna nahi ho payega (this won’t be enough). Delhi is 3.5 crores. This is not sufficient. Imagine emergency me log phone kare jaa rahe hain and phone hi nahi mil raha (Imagine if someone calls in an emergency and no one picks up the phone),” the Court pointed out.
The Court proceeded to order,
“If the lines need to be increased and operators also, a feedback shall be given to the Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department. Let a status report be filed in this regard.”