A man has complained that his child, who has a potentially fatal disease, was denied treatment by the hospital. 

Doctor: The father of the child could not pay the treatment expenses as the drug used for the treatment is very expensive. Also, it has to be taken for lifetime. 

Judge: A patient cannot be denied treatment due to financial constraints. 

Lesson: Article 21 of the Constitution of India guarantees protection of life and personal liberty to every citizen. Article 14 provides for ‘Equality before law’. 

In Mohd. Ahmed (Minor) vs Union of India & Ors., W.P.(C) 7279/2013 vide judgment dated 17 April, 2014  the Hon’ble Delhi High Court has held that, “By virtue of Article 21 of the Constitution, the State is under a legal obligation to ensure access to life saving drugs to patients.”