MP High Court Directs State To Ensure Adequate Doctors Are Employed At Primary Health Centre Catering To Over 50K Rural Residents

The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Thursday (July 3) directed the State Government to ensure that adequate number of doctors and paramedical staff are deployed at the Primary Health Centre at Rajnagar in Anuppur, which is stated to be catering to over 50,000 rural and tribal residents. During the hearing Advocate Siddharth Gontia appearing for the petitioner submitted before a division bench of Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf that the prevailing conditions at the health centre has compelled the residents to compromise with their health. He urged the court to issue directions for the appointment of at least three doctors, including one female doctor, at the facility.In response, Additional Advocate General Janhavi Pandit, representing the State, submitted that, as per her oral instructions, the health centre was functional and that one or two doctors were already posted there. She submitted that as per her oral instructions the centre is operational. Gontia however said that there is only one doctor and he sits only for two days in a week that to one hour a day. The bench at this stage orally asked the State's counsel to look into the matter.As the State's counsel sought time to file a response, the bench orally said, "We don't need replies in this petition; We want action". Pandit submitted that she will file a status report in the matter. Gontia submitted that "there are over 50,000 tribals and rural residents who are dependent" on the centre but there is insufficient medical facility available therein. He further said that even the access road to the centre is in a condition that it is virtually impossible for people to travel on the same.He also prayed for immediate directions for the construction of a temporary road to ensure basic accessibility.Meanwhile with regard to ambulance services, Pandit informed the court that 108 ambulance services were available 24-hours a day and that it is there on demand. The court asked about the response time to which Pandit submitted that it immediately arrives. The court however orally remarked, "Immediately means what? Make a call just now, let's see how much time it takes". Thereafter, the court, while granting time to the State's counsel to file a report and seek instructions, in its order said: "In the meantime, respondent authority shall ensure that the Primary Health Center has the requisite number of doctors and paramedical available to cater to the tribals and rural residents who are dependents on the said center".The matter was further listed for July 10. Case Title: Vikas Pratap Singh v State of MP (WP No. 20174 of 2025)For Petitioner: Advocate Siddharth GontiaFor Respondent: Additional Advocate General Janhavi PanditClick here to read the Order

MP High Court Directs State To Ensure Adequate Doctors Are Employed At Primary Health Centre Catering To Over 50K Rural Residents

Jayanti Pahwa

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