New Delhi: The Delhi High Court Friday asked the Centre and the city government to think about increasing health budget while asking All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to provide free treatment to a two-year-old boy suffering from a rare genetic disorder, Gaucher's disease.
"Some thought should be given to increase the health budget. Maybe you can squeeze some other sectors," Justice Rajiv Shakdher said while seeking Union Ministry of Health and Delhi government's response on the petition of a street vendor whose son is suffering from Gaucher, treatment for which costs Rs 4.75 lakh per month.
The disease is a rare Lysosomal Storage Disorder wherein the body cannot process fat resulting in accumulation of fat around vital organs of the body.
The court also asked the government what steps have been taken to implement the suggestions given by it earlier in another similar matter last year.
It also asked AIIMS to provide all requisite treatment to the child free of cost, to which the hospital agreed.
The child's father, Vikas Sahu, moved the court saying he cannot not afford the enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) treatment costing Rs 4.75 lakh per month as he earns only Rs 3000 per month and is the sole earner in the family.
Apart from the genetic disorder, the child is also suffering from various other ailments, including anaemia, the petition filed through advocate Ashok Aggarwal.
