Madras High Court asks State to give records of doctors employed in government Hospitals

The petition stated that about 40 posts of doctors remained unfilled in the government hospitals, which led to lack of treatment for patients visiting taluk hospitals in Aruppukottai, Srivilliputur, Rajapalayam, Sathur, Tiruchuli, Kariapatty, Watrap and Thiruthangal. Most of the patients who suffered from kidney ailments were reported to be lacking critical interventions due to paucity of proper staff along with poor working conditions in the state government hospitals.

The petitioner  further that people are forced to visit private hospitals or government hospitals nearby the district for treatment, under the shortage of doctors and improper healthcare conditions.

Replying to the petition,  the Joint Director of Health Services informed the court that the posts of doctors within the state 163 out of 207 sanctioned posts were filled up till then, reports The Hindu.

In the court during the hearing of the petition, a case of a poor man was argued over where he suffered from kidney failure and was unable to undergo dialysis at Thanjavur Government Medical College Hospital. The failure of the hospital to provide proper care to the patient was due to dysfunctional dialysis machines . The hospital in general has a footfall of kidney disease suffering patients of about 250 patients.

The court said, "Assuming that it would take a minimum of one hour for performing dialysis on one patient and even if both the functional machines in the hospital were operated round the clock, the hospital would be able to attend to only 48 patients in a day. If such is the situation, what is the option for the other 200 patients?

Anand Raj in his petition had quoted that a representation to the state health secretary and other officials was also sent last year on August 18 regarding filling up of vacant posts of doctors. But there was no response in its reply.