The Kerala High Court on Tuesday directed the State government to inform the court about the measures available to support the people who are unable to bear high medical expenses.
Justice Devan Ramachandran also directed the government to state in an affidavit whether it had any mechanism for supporting persons who are in debt trap because of high medical expenses so that they would not lose their property.
The court said that it was deeply worrying that the State failed or omitted to step in and offer relief to such citizens when large amount of public revenue was being spent for social uplift and redress of human rights.
Duties of State
The court observed that the duties and obligations of the State to take care of its citizen, particular those who were unable to take care of themselves due to various factors, including penury, were constitutionally imperative. Reports were now legion in various media of citizen pleading for indulgence of their fellow citizen when stricken with the malady of illness. They were forced to do so because they were left with no other option .
The court made the observations while ordering the Malappuram District Cooperative Bank to defer all actions initiated against Alavi of Karuvarakundu for his failure to pay a loan taken for the treatment of his children.
The court opined that in cases where people were pushed into deep distress and pathos on account of unbearable medical expenses for members of the family, including children, the State machinery should involve and give humanistic support to the citizens so that they will be in a position to live with at least the minimum required human dignity and respect.
