New Delhi, July 22 (IANS): The national human rights watchdog on Wednesday issued notice to the Centre and the Delhi government over the "pathetic state of affairs" prevailing in the national capital's public healthcare system.

Taking suo motu cognizance of media reports, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) sought a report from union Health Secretary B.P. Sharma and Delhi Chief Secretary K.K. Sharma within four weeks.

The commission observed that hundreds of patients were waiting for medical attention with some of them even at the risk of death due to lack of timely medical care, an NHRC statement said.

The NHRC further observed that the right to healthcare was a basic human right and the state had the obligation to fulfil this right of citizens. "It is an inseparable facet of right to life guaranteed under the constitution."

"Nevertheless, it (government) cannot be a mute spectator, when such a large number of people face serious hardships and impediments in their struggle to realize their right to healthcare, waiting for their turn in front of hospitals, be it the AIIMS, R.M.L. Hospital or any other hospital.

"Perhaps, the issue warrants urgent attention of the authorities at the highest levels," the statement said.