The Himachal Pradesh High Court today sought an explanation from Principal Secretary (Health) on the poor condition of public health services in the state. The court sought details regarding the unfilled vacancies of medical staff in the state. The court further sought information on the number of hospitals and public health centres established by the state at various levels and institution wise vacancy with regard to medical officers and other staff.
The court also wanted to know the need for recognition and approval of private health institutions, within and outside the state for the purposes of reimbursement of medical expenses by government employees and directed that information regarding number of such institutions along with their names and the amounts paid to them in the last 1 – 2 years be submitted.
While passing these directions the division bench comprising the Chief Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice Sanjay Karol further directed him to file his personal affidavit furnishing all the details in it with within a period of four weeks.
The bench passed this order on a news report which was treated as public interest litigation wherein it was alleged that the patients are suffering on account of lack of proper and complete infrastructure, deployment of proper staff including doctors and poor maintenance of a state run hospital at Rohru.
During the course of the hearing it was brought to the notice of the court that large number of vacancies particularly that of Medical Officers still remain unfilled not only in the hospital in question but also throughout the State and which was also admitted by the Principal Secretary (Health).
While hearing the matter the bench observed that “the State has established hospitals at various levels i.e. State, Zonal and District levels. There are also Primary Health Centres set up in rural areas where Doctors are supposed to serve the people and fulfil the constitutional goal and object of providing healthy life and good medical care to the citizens. How the State proposes to fill up these unfilled vacancies throughout the state is a question which has to be seriously addressed by the Government. Reluctance could also be for the reason that service rules are being tailor made to suit particular individuals. It also cannot be disputed that Doctors of repute and skill have left the services of the State”.
The court further observed that “It is also seen that for the purpose of reimbursement, Government has notified large number of hospitals and laboratories, in private/non-government sector, where employees of the State can avail medical facilities. But then what is the need for notifying such private institutions on wholesome basis. Is it that such facilities are otherwise not available in Government hospitals? Has anyone conducted audit of the total money paid to these private institutions? Why can’t this money be utilized for strengthening Government institutions? There is no doubt that right to health and medical care is a fundamental right and State is obliged, within its resources, to provide medical facilities to its citizens including employees. If only State were to augment and enhance the existing infrastructure in the government hospitals/establishments then alone migration of doctors and patients to these private institutions, both within and outside the State would stop.”
As reported in: http://www.lawetalnews.com/NewsDetail.asp?newsid=4533