'Illegal Detention': Sonam Wangchuk's Wife Moves Delhi HC To Shift Activist From Safdarjung Hospital

New Delhi: Environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk's wife Gitanjali Angmo, has approached the Delhi High Court seeking an urgent hearing to allow the activist to be shifted from Safdarjung Hospital to a private medical facility of the family's choice and raised serious questions about the functioning of Safdarjung Hospital. 

What did Gitanjali Angmo say?

Gitanjali Angmo on Sunday said she has moved the Delhi High Court seeking permission to shift Sonam Wangchuk from Safdarjung Hospital to a private facility.

The activist's wife stated that she has lost faith in the Safdarjung Hospital and has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court seeking an immediate hearing on the matter.

Gitanjali claimed that the hospital informed her that Sonam Wangchuk's potassium level had dropped to 2.9, describing it as a serious and life-threatening condition. However, the public health bulletin issued by the hospital did not share the actual figure and only stated that the potassium level was decreasing. She also claimed that an independent laboratory test found the potassium level to be 3.5, which is within normal limits.

How many policemen are outside the ward?

Gitanjali alleged that despite repeated requests, the hospital administration is not allowing Sonam Wangchuk to be discharged or transferred to a private hospital of his choice. According to her, around 30 policemen are deployed outside the ward and over 100 throughout the hospital premises, restricting the movement. She described this as "illegal detention," not medical care.

What is Gitanjali demanding?

Gitanjali stated that if anything untoward happens to Sonam Wangchuk, the hospital administration and the government will be solely responsible. She explained that this is why she has approached the Delhi High Court and sought an urgent hearing in the case. The petition requests the court to allow Sonam Wangchuk to be transferred to a private hospital of his choice before his health deteriorates further. 

She stated that no family should be forced to fight the system for the right to choose a hospital for their loved one's treatment.