It Is The Centre’s Duty To Provide Special Health Packages To All Hilly States: Uttarakhand HC

The Uttarakhand High Court on Friday issued a slew of directions for improvement of medical facilities in the State.In doing so, the Bench comprising Justice Rajiv Sharma and Justice Lok Pal Singh asserted that it is the Centre’s duty to provide special health packages to all hilly States, observing, “We are not oblivious of the financial crunch faced by the State of Uttarakhand. It is the duty of the The Court can take judicial notice of the fact that Central Govt. to provide special health package to all the hilly states to maintain and improve public health. We would like to mention at this stage that all the schemes announced, launched must be completed in a time bound manner to save public money. The Union of India was added as party at the subsequent stage, since the State Govt. has stated in its one of the affidavits that it has sent the proposal to the Central Govt. to release the sufficient funds.”The Court was hearing a petition filed by one Mr. Deepak Ruwali, highlighting the shortage of doctors and paramedical staff at three Government Hospitals in Nainital— B.D. Pandey (Male) District Hospital, B.D. Pandey (Female) District Hospital and G.B. Pant Hospital. Mr. Ruwali had alleged several other deficiencies in the hospitals too, including inadequate space and lack of basic equipment.Over several hearings, the Court examined the shortcomings in the three hospitals, and constituted a five-member committee, with the Chief Secretary, Government of Uttarakhand as its Chairperson. Based on the report submitted by the committee, and the submissions by the parties, the Court issued the following directions:State to start multi-speciality hospital within 6 months The State Govt. is directed to start Multi-Speciality Hospital at Bhowali T.B. Sanatorium within a period of six months from today, as per the norms of Medical Council of India and Indian Public Health Standards issued from time to time, as per decision dated 13.06.2017. The State Govt. is directed to construct the new buildings for Multi-Speciality Hospital as per the norms of Indian Public Health Standards by initiating the tender process after completing all the codal formalities i.e. DPR, building plans etc., within a period three months from today. The State Govt. is also directed to release sufficient funds for the treatment of patients admitted in T.B. Sanatorium, Bhowali, within a period of seven days’ from today. The State Govt. is also directed to undertake minor repairs of buildings at Bhowali T.B. Sanatorium on urgent basis and to make it functional for establishment of Multi-Speciality Hospital within a period of two weeks from today. Establishment of Cardiac Care Unit and Geriatric WardThe State Govt. is also directed to setup/establish Cardiac Care Unit and Geriatric Ward at B.D. Pandey District Hospital, within a period of three months from today. Cardiologist and Gynaecologist be appointed within two weeks from today. Vacant posts to be filled within 3 monthsAll the vacant posts of doctors, paramedical staff and ministerial staff in B.D. Pandey (Male) District Hospital, B.D. Pandey (Female) District Hospital and G.B. Pant Hospital be filled up within a period of three months from today, if necessary by holding walk-in- interview on urgent basis. Central heating in all 3 hospitalsThe State Govt. is also directed to make provision for Central heating in all the three hospitals i.e. B.D. Pandey (Male) District Hospital, B.D. Pandey (Female) District Hospital and G.B. Pant Hospital, Nainital before the onset of winter season.Generators in every district for uninterrupted power supplyThe State Govt. is further directed to install generators in every district hospital to provide uninterrupted power supply.Ensuring constant availability of all doctors The State Govt. is also directed to ensure that all the doctors posted at a particular place/station remain available around the clock, failing which, disciplinary proceedings be initiated against them.Ensuring compliance with Indian Public Health Standards The State Govt. is directed to appoint doctors, nurses, para-medical staff, administrators etc. and to provide equipment as per Indian Public Health Standards within a period of six months from today at the secondary level/tertiary level hospitals. The State Govt. is also directed to appoint doctors, nurses, para-medical staff, administrators etc. in all the sub-district/sub-divisional hospitals, Special Centres, Primary Health Centres (PHCs’), Community Health Centres as per the norms of Indian Public Health Standards and Medical Council of India, within a period of six months from today. The State Govt. is also directed to comply with all the norms of Indian Public Health Standards issued from time-to-time in the Multi-Speciality Hospital to be opened/ established in T.B. Sanatorium, Bhowali including doctors, nurses, para-medical staff, administrators and equipment. Trauma Centres in every district hospitalThe State Govt. is...

It Is The Centre’s Duty To Provide Special Health Packages To All Hilly States: Uttarakhand HC

Apoorva Mandhani

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