RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: Sindh High Court (SHC) has ruled that it is the absolute responsibility of state to provide health facilities particularly when it comes to destitute or differently abled persons.

The SHC gave this ruling on an application, filed by a woman, who was a compounder in a public sector hospital but now a differently abled person. She stated her son was affected by psychiatric disorder and daughter is unmarried. Hence, she also falls in the category of destitute woman. She said doctors had advised for hospitalization for treatment but she cannot bear expenses.

Daughter of the applicant told the court that they receive Rs14,000 as pension out of that Rs6,000 are paid in house rent and it is very much difficult for them to make both ends meet with remaining Rs8,000; therefore their family cannot afford treatment of her brother and differently abled mother.

SHC said there can be no denial to the fact that it is the ultimate responsibility of the state to take care of differently abled person and destitute woman.

It said Zakat and Ushr is not the only institution to help the deserved but different enactments were there to inquire/ search persons qualifying for assistance and provide them necessary help. The health is one of the issues, which is absolute responsibility of State particularly when it comes to destitute or differently abled person, order stated.

The court also directed to issue notice to Secretary, Social Welfare Department Sindh. The SHC wants him to furnish a concrete proposal with regard to any package for the expenses and well-being of said destitute differently abled woman, her son who is a psychiatric patient and also of her daughter without any harm to their dignity.

The SHC order said that Secretary Social Welfare shall also depute any responsible person so as to make necessary treatment available to the said family by the department or by any other quarter concerned without burdening the above persons with cost.