Human Rights Measure

The High Court of Delhi disposed of a public interest petition submitted on behalf of SAMA-Resource Group for Women and Health. The petition raised the issue of “denial of delivery/child birth services to pregnant women in Delhi and the barriers faced by them and their families in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown declared by the Central and the State Government.” In its decision, the High Court directed the “GNCTD [Government of National Capital Region of Delhi] to ensure that the helpline number” that was “set up for pregnant women seeking essential health services, which includes arranging transportation to and from the hospital, securing movement passes, etc” would be “publicised adequately in the newspapers and the social media as also through the Delhi Police, wherever possible” and that “UOI [Union of India] and GNCTD shall work in tandem to make sure that no barriers are faced by pregnant ladies and their family members residing in hot spots during the lockdown.”