Why Sonam Wangchuk is being moved to Medanta: HC cites need for constant monitoring
The Delhi High Court to propose transferring Wangchuk from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta Hospital for improved medical supervision
The Delhi High Court has proposed moving activist Sonam Wangchuk, currently on an indefinite hunger strike, from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram. This decision is based on a consensus among doctors who believe continuous medical monitoring is crucial for his well-being during the fast. The court's observation came in response to a plea filed by Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali Angmo, and after reviewing medical records and consulting with various medical professionals. The government has indicated no objection to the transfer to Medanta, a hospital of Wangchuk's preference, provided he adheres to medical advice. All relevant medical records are to be transferred to ensure seamless continuation of care.
The Delhi High Court has proposed moving activist Sonam Wangchuk, currently on an indefinite hunger strike, from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram. This decision is based on a consensus among doctors who believe continuous medical monitoring is crucial for his well-being during the fast. The court's observation came in response to a plea filed by Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali Angmo, and after reviewing medical records and consulting with various medical professionals. The government has indicated no objection to the transfer to Medanta, a hospital of Wangchuk's preference, provided he adheres to medical advice. All relevant medical records are to be transferred to ensure seamless continuation of care.
The Delhi High Court has proposed moving activist Sonam Wangchuk, currently on an indefinite hunger strike, from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram. This decision is based on a consensus among doctors who believe continuous medical monitoring is crucial for his well-being during the fast. The court's observation came in response to a plea filed by Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali Angmo, and after reviewing medical records and consulting with various medical professionals. The government has indicated no objection to the transfer to Medanta, a hospital of Wangchuk's preference, provided he adheres to medical advice. All relevant medical records are to be transferred to ensure seamless continuation of care.
he Delhi High Court on Tuesday proposed shifting activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite fast since June 28 over alleged examination irregularities, from Safdarjung Hospital here to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram. The observation came considering the consensus among doctors that he required continuous medical monitoring in the wake of his ongoing hunger strike.
The court statement came in a plea filed by Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali Angmo against the Sunday order of the High Court, which refused to interfere with his treatment at the Safdarjung Hospital.
However, the division bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia examined the medical records and interacted with doctors from AIIMS, Safdarjung Hospital and Wangchuk's personal physician before proposing the shift.
"After going through reports and after interacting with AIIMS doctors and the doctor who attended him, there is consensus that constant monitoring is required. As per Dr Tandon, he has to be monitored in hospital. The concern expressed by Wangchuk in his letter is also to be taken into consideration. We propose that he be shifted to Medanta, hospital of his choice," the court said.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the government had no objection to Wangchuk being shifted to Medanta Hospital. "I had interactions with the government also. Medanta is a reputed hospital. The government has no objection if Wangchuk is shifted there, but he may not get discharged from Medanta against medical advice," Mehta submitted.
The Court indicated that all medical records and treatment details from Safdarjung Hospital be shared with Medanta.
In the plea, Wangchuk's counsel, Senior Advocate Akhil Sibal, relied on reports prepared by doctors who had been consulting him for years and submitted that there was no immediate threat to his life. Sibal argued that Wangchuk's condition did not warrant hospitalisation or intensive monitoring and that he had been monitored even while he was at the protest site.
The plea also stated that the single judge's Sunday order illegally confined Wangchuk to Safdarjung Hospital without any arrest. He said neither the activist nor his wife has decisive authority in determining his medical treatment.
The single bench on Sunday had refused to interfere with Wangchuk's treatment at Safdarjung Hospital, stating that the government's removal of the fasting activist from Jantar Mantar to a government hospital could not be called arbitrary.