Lack of facilities in GH: Notice to Health Secretary

A division bench of Justices N Kirubakaran and S S Sundar, on hearing a petition filed by one Thirumurgan, questioned authorities on the status of medical equipment required for various procedures, including CT scan, MRI scan, ultrasound scan and ECG.

Thirumurgan had sought the filling up of existing vacancies of doctors and provision of basic facilities in a government hospital in Ramanathapuram district. He stated that the government hospital in Kadaladi, one of the eight taluks in the district, did not have any medical equipment required for treatment, besides lacking adequate strength of doctors. 

“Around 200 villagers, who have been relying on this hospital for medical care, were experiencing difficulties. Moreover, the maternity ward constructed at a cost of Rs 85 lakh with the aid of the Tsunami Rehabilitation Fund remains useless, as it serves as a godown,” the petitioner contended, adding that patients are hence forced to approach government hospitals in Ramanathapuram and Thoothukudi.

After hearing the plea, the bench raised a serious question on whether the government hospital staff were deliberately ruining the equipment available to help the private diagnostic centres in exchange for an illegal commission amount.   

“Is action being taken to rectify the faulty equipment immediately,” wondered the judges, also seeking the details of vacancies in posts of doctors, nursing staff and other para-medical staff. 

Since it has been reported that the number of beds available is less and there is always a demand for more beds, the bench asked the authorities whether enough beds were available to accommodate all admitted patients. The judges also asked them whether CCTV cameras were installed in the premises to prevent instances of child trafficking. After issuing a notice to the State Health Secretary, the judges adjourned the case to March 7.