Healthcare – Delhi High Court Seeks Live Demo of ICU Bed Systems
Healthcare – The Delhi High Court has asked the city government to arrange a live presentation of two digital healthcare platforms designed to improve hospital coordination and emergency care access. The court sought a demonstration of the Delhi ICU Beds Saarthi application and the NextGen e-Hospital Management Information System during hearings related to public health infrastructure in the capital.
Court seeks details on hospital technology
A division bench comprising Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora directed officials to explain how the systems are operating in practice. The court said the presentation should be made by a competent government representative at the next hearing.
The Delhi ICU Beds Saarthi application is intended to provide information on emergency intensive care unit bed availability at hospitals across the city. According to the Delhi government, the platform is currently active and its data is updated in real time. Officials also told the court that the application is undergoing further upgrades.
The bench asked for a demonstration of the daily functioning of the ICU bed application, along with the hospital management system used by government healthcare facilities.
HMIS deployed in 38 Delhi hospitals
The government informed the court through an affidavit that the NextGen e-Hospital Management Information System has been introduced in 38 hospitals in Delhi. The online system is meant to digitise several routine medical and administrative functions within hospitals.
Fourteen modules have reportedly been activated under the platform. These include services connected with outpatient departments, inpatient care, medical records, laboratory work and radiology. The system is expected to reduce paperwork, improve coordination between departments and make patient-related information easier to access within participating hospitals.
The court also directed that at least two officials from hospitals where the HMIS has been implemented should assist during the live presentation. The officials have been asked to explain the functioning of the platform and identify any difficulties or gaps experienced during its rollout.
Concerns raised over cancer institute facilities
During the proceedings, the court considered submissions from the amicus curiae regarding conditions at the Delhi State Cancer Institute. The amicus pointed to what were described as serious operational concerns, including medical equipment that was allegedly not being used.
The bench observed that the apparent reason for some equipment remaining unused was the absence of adequately trained personnel. It asked a senior official responsible for the institute’s administration to appear before the court at the next hearing.
The matter forms part of a group of cases being heard by the High Court on healthcare facilities and public health services in Delhi. The court is examining issues related to hospital capacity, patient access and the implementation of technology-based systems in public institutions.
Hearing listed for July 3
The High Court has listed the matter for further consideration on July 3. The upcoming hearing is expected to include the live demonstrations and responses from hospital officials on the performance of the HMIS platform.
In a separate development, a Delhi court reserved its decision in the sexual harassment case involving former Wrestling Federation of India chief and former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashwini Panwar reserved the order for August 3 after final arguments concluded in the complaint filed by six women wrestlers.
A court had earlier ordered the framing of a criminal intimidation charge against Singh in May 2024. He was discharged in a separate complaint filed by one of the six wrestlers.