Why Activist Sonam Wangchuk's Wife is Fighting for His Medical Rights
Urgent Plea to the Delhi High Court
New Delhi: Gitanjali J Angmo, the wife of activist Sonam Wangchuk, has approached the Delhi High Court to request his transfer from Safdarjung Hospital to a private medical facility. She plans to seek an urgent hearing regarding her request on Sunday.
Angmo expressed her loss of confidence in the hospital, stating that she wishes to relocate her husband before his condition worsens.
In her court petition, she highlighted that the hospital authorities have only provided selective information despite her repeated inquiries, and their refusal to allow Wangchuk's transfer has hindered an independent assessment of his health.
Angmo voiced her serious concerns about her husband's well-being, criticizing the lack of transparency in his medical treatment, especially since his vital signs were stable when he was taken from the protest site.
She pointed out that the court's order from July 16, which instructed authorities to monitor Wangchuk's health and intervene medically if needed, was issued without her knowledge. She claimed that the police forcibly removed him from Jantar Mantar on Saturday, taking undue advantage of this directive without any medical emergency.
According to her petition, there was no medical crisis that justified such a sudden and forceful intervention. She argued that this action infringed upon Wangchuk's fundamental rights.
The petition also raised concerns about inconsistencies in Wangchuk's potassium levels, comparing results from Safdarjung with those from an independent agency.
Angmo noted that the blood sample was provided to her after a delay of over 10 hours, revealing a potassium level of 3.6 mg, which contradicts the previously reported level of 2.9 mg. This discrepancy suggests potential misconduct by the hospital.
The petition requests the court to grant unrestricted access for Wangchuk's doctors and legal counsel, allow his transfer to a hospital of her choice, and facilitate an independent medical examination.
In a post on her social media account, Angmo emphasized that no family should have to struggle against the system to determine where their loved ones receive medical care. She criticized the public health bulletin from Safdarjung for omitting crucial information about Wangchuk's potassium levels.
Angmo stated that despite numerous requests, the hospital has denied their discharge or transfer requests, and with a significant police presence, their movements are heavily restricted. She described the situation as illegal detention rather than medical care.
She reiterated her urgent plea to the high court for permission to transfer her husband before his health declines further, asserting that families should not have to battle the system for medical choices.
Wangchuk was forcibly taken to Safdarjung Hospital by Delhi Police on the 21st day of his hunger strike, which began on June 28, in support of protests led by the CJP regarding alleged NEET examination irregularities and related student fatalities.