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New Delhi, March 1, 2025 – The Supreme Court of India has set aside a 2018 order by the Allahabad High Court that mandated government officials in Uttar Pradesh to seek medical treatment exclusively at public hospitals. The apex court ruled that such a directive amounts to policy overreach and infringes on an individual’s right to choose their healthcare provider.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar delivered the verdict, emphasizing that while improving public healthcare facilities is a crucial goal, judicial intervention should not extend to restricting treatment options for government employees. The bench stated that the judiciary must respect the domain of policy-making, which falls under the executive’s jurisdiction.
The Allahabad High Court had issued a total of 21 directives aimed at enhancing the quality of healthcare in government hospitals. These included addressing staff shortages, ensuring the availability of quality medicines, and conducting regular audits of public healthcare institutions. However, the Supreme Court ruled that compelling government officials to exclusively rely on public healthcare facilities was not an appropriate judicial measure.
Despite overturning the order, the Supreme Court acknowledged the necessity of improving the public healthcare system in Uttar Pradesh and across India. The judgment has sparked discussions about the broader issue of healthcare accessibility and the need for substantial reforms in government hospitals.
The ruling is expected to provide relief to government officials, who can now opt for treatment at private hospitals if they choose. At the same time, it places the onus on policymakers to take effective measures to strengthen public healthcare infrastructure without imposing restrictive mandates.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and court rulings. It does not constitute legal advice or an official government statement. Readers are encouraged to refer to official sources for further details.
