In a significant ruling underscoring the urgency of uninterrupted healthcare access, the Rajasthan High Court has directed the additional director of the Rajasthan Government Health Scheme (RGHS) to provide immediate cashless treatment to a cancer patient. This order was issued despite an administrative delay caused by the patient’s wife’s RGHS card being discontinued due to non-payment of premiums by her employer, Alwar Nagar Nigam.

Justice Anand Sharma, in a single judge bench ruling on August 25, stated, “Looking at the urgency in the matter, where the husband of the petitioner requires immediate surgery, the respondents are directed to provide a cashless facility of treatment attached to the RGHS card.” The court emphasized the critical nature of the patient’s required surgery and prioritized his access to treatment over procedural complications.

The petitioner has been required to submit an undertaking accepting responsibility for all treatment expenses should the writ petition ultimately fail. Additionally, documents related to the patient’s surgery must be placed on record. The next hearing is scheduled for October 13, 2025.

The dispute arose after Alwar Nagar Nigam deducted the RGHS premium from the petitioner’s wife’s salary but failed to transmit the funds to the scheme, resulting in the deactivation of the RGHS card. As per normal protocol, card activation takes three months from the date premiums are deposited. However, due to this procedural lapse, the cashless facility was initially denied.

Advocate Abhinav Sharma, representing the petitioner, highlighted the predicament faced by the family, stating that the delay was preventing timely access to urgent surgical care.

This decision by the Rajasthan High Court reinforces the judiciary’s commitment to safeguarding patient rights and ensuring that procedural issues do not hinder access to essential medical treatment, particularly in life-threatening conditions such as cancer.