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All Weather Motorable Roads Being Constructed In Chhotaudepur's Remote Areas: Gujarat HC Told After Pregnant Woman Dies On Way To Ambulance
Lovina B Thakkar
9 Dec 2024 9:00 AM IST
The State government told the Gujarat High Court on Friday (December 6) that all-weather motorable roads were being constructed wherever feasible in remote areas of Chhotaudepur to ensure that ambulances reach at the sight of emergency and new portable stretchers are being provided for carrying patients from their residence to the ambulance stop. The submission was made before a Chief...
The State government told the Gujarat High Court on Friday (December 6) that all-weather motorable roads were being constructed wherever feasible in remote areas of Chhotaudepur to ensure that ambulances reach at the sight of emergency and new portable stretchers are being provided for carrying patients from their residence to the ambulance stop.
The submission was made before a Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Pranav Trivedi which was hearing a suo motu plea initiated by it after taking note of an incident where a pregnant woman who, after being "carried on a cloth stretcher" as there was no road, died on her way to the ambulance pickup point in Chottaudepur area in October. The court had earlier called for a report from the concerned Collector indicating the"hard reality" of the situation and a plan for meeting out such medical emergencies.
During the hearing on Friday, the court was informed District Administration of Chhotaudepur has submitted a requisition for hiring four wheeler vehicles like Bolero which are to be converted into ambulance to reach to the people living in such areas.
Taking note of the Chhotaudepur administration's submissions the court in its order dictated, "In so far as the connectivity for far and remote areas in the state, 36,025 kms of roads are available in the tribal areas of the state (plan and non-plan roads), including 2,486 kms of road in Chhotaudepur District itself. Out of the aforesaid total number of roads, 25,750 kms of road are village roads including 1605 of village roads in Chhotaudepur. Out of 488 major districts, 56 major districts lie in Chhotaudepur District: out of total 1171 minor bridges, 16 minor bridges are in Chhotaudepur...In so far as providing ambulances, it is stated that 108 emergency medical services are available 24x7 in the state and where people can avail of this service by calling the toll-free number which is 108 helpline number. The ambulance reaches the location and carries the patient or injured person to the hospital free of charge, on receiving the call on the said number".
"All-weather motorable roads are being constructed wherever feasible in remote areas. In remote areas of one Taluka, Chhotaudepur, where road access is presently available 108 ambulance service at several places, motorable roads are being developed to ensure that the ambulances can reach at the sight of emergency. The District Administration of Chhotaudepur has submitted a requisition to hire four wheeler drive vehicles like Bolero which are to be converted into ambulance to reach to the people living in such areas.Once, the requisite details are submitted on GeM portal to facilitate the purchase and allocation of these special 4x4 ambulances and once they are procured, these vehicles will significantly improve access to remote area, making it easier for the ambulance services to reach even the most difficult locations. New portable stretchers are being provided at the sub-centers and remote areas for carrying patients from their residence to their nearby health facilities center or the ambulance stop. Efforts are being made to by the district administration to create awareness amongst villagers by holding regular community meetings/programs," it added.
After taking note of the steps taken by the administration the court disposed of the plea.
"In view of these developments brought on record and the progress made in the matter at the instance at the ends of the district administration, Chhotaudepur, we do not find any reason to keep the matter pending. The present petition is accordingly disposed of with the observations that benevolent projects shall continue to operate and be improved and enhanced from time to time,” the court said.
As per an October 17 order the High Court had directed the Collector of Chhotaudepur to file affidavit pertaining to the issues regarding medical facilities available in the state for tribal villages that are far and remote, infrastructure facilities in remote areas, connectivity in remote areas and the reason for non-availability of facility like 108 Ambulance at door-steps for such remote areas and the measures available and the steps taken to make the medical facilities available to residence of such remote areas.
On Friday, the Advocate General Kamal Trivedi appearing for the State said that an affidavit had been filed pointing to the initiatives which have been taken that involves the combination of government health program, mobile health services and specialized facilities aimed at improving the access to health care for tribal population. The affidavit states that mobile medical units are in place which are equipped with doctors, necessary medical supplies, and that the doctors visit the remote area regularly to supply primary health care services, conduct health cares and offer preventive care such as vaccination.
The Advocate General further submitted, that as per the affidavit, as on date there are 132 mobile medical units to reach sub-centres and primary health centres. Sub-centres and primary health centres are first points of contact for health care in rural and tribal area which are equipped to handle common health issues like maternal health child health care, minor medical emergencies. In some tribal areas these centres are upgraded with better facilities to cater with the specific needs of the tribal population. He said that as on date, there are 9,231 sub-centres, 1,499 primary health centres in the state of Gujarat whereas 2,778 sub-centres and 421 primary health centres in the tribal districts of the state. There are five district hospitals and 27 sub-district hospitals, 84 community health centres in the tribal districts of the state. Answering to the previous query of the Court, the AG also submitted that the development of infrastructure facilities have been started for connecting the roads to the tribal village and faliyas (cluster of houses/hamlets).
After taking note of the submissions, the bench in its order dictated, “By means of the affidavit dated 17.10.2024 filed through Chief Secretary, and also affidavit dated 28.11.2024 of the Collector, Chhotaudepur filed the infrastructure development projects are undertaken for the remote tribal are of the Chhotaudepur and the projects for enhancing the road connectivity for the remote area and providing medical facilities are brought on record. The current position of medical facilities available for tribal villages includes mobile medical units, sub-centres, primary health centres, District hospitals/sub-district hospitals and community health centres, sub centres, primary health centres under the National Rural Health Mission, a scheme of the central government. For people living in the tribal villages, remote area, various medical schemes are operating under the National Health Mission of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Central Government".
The court was told that as per the incubation provided by the Tribal Development Department in the state, as per census 2011, there are around 89.17 Lakh tribal people and for providing infrastructure facilities and other services to the population living in 14 tribal districts, various department of the state work in-sync with each other.
It was further informed that infrastructure facilities include providing healthcare centres, constructing road network, government and grant-in-aid schools, community halls, housing facilities etc. There is a tribal area sub-plan concept in the state to provide for financial allocation in proportion to the scheduled tribe population, which had led to the launch of large number of schemes covering all aspects of tribal life.
The funds of tribal area sub-plans (TASP) are on non-divertible and are put at the disposal of Tribal Development Department of the State. The department has been entrusted with planning and budgetary provision powers for TASP funds and further allocating to other department, whenever required, to develop infrastructure of good quality remote tribal areas, the court noted.
Case Title: Suo Moto vs State of Gujarat Through Chief Secretary & Ors.
Case Citaion: 2024 LiveLaw (Guj) 186