HC Asks Health Ministry if Govt Plans to Set up AIIMS-like institute in Prayagraj

New Delhi: While considering a plea highlighting the inadequate medical facilities and infrastructure in the city of Prayagraj, the Allahabad High Court recently asked the Union Health Ministry of the Central Government if it had any plans to set up a premiere healthcare institute similar to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Prayagraj.

Sahaj-Sarathi Foundation filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) and the counsel submitted that as per the 2011 Census, Prayagraj had a population of 59,54,390 and it would be much higher currently. It was submitted that being one of the largest cities, Prayagraj also attracted the citizens of adjacent districts.

The plea referred to Prayagraj as a major administrative and educational hub, hosting the Allahabad High Court, the Commissioner of four districts, and several central and State Government establishments.

Further, the counsel for the petitioners pointed out that the key institutes in Prayagraj included Allahabad University, the Central Administrative Tribunal, the National Company Law Tribunal, the Debts Recovery Tribunal, the Auditor General of Uttar Pradesh, the Principal Controller of Defence Account, Moti Lal Nehru Institute of Technology, the Indian Institute of Information Technology, and the Harish Chandra Research Institute.

In regard to the health facilities, the counsel for the petitioner submitted that Prayagraj has a Medical College and T.B. Sapru Hospital, which is a State-run Hospital, but the quality of medical services available at Prayagraj is pathetic. The Counsel for the petitioner submitted a supplementary affidavit to highlight the condition of the buildings and the services in those hospitals.

The petitioner further submitted that Prayagraj meets most of the criteria outlined in the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana, which was announced in the year 2003 with the objective of correcting the regional imbalance in affordable/reliable tertiary health care services and also to augment facilities for quality medical education in the country.

Therefore, the plea argued that in accordance of its policy, the Central Government should set up an AIIMS-like institute in Prayagraj to meet the imminent need for specialized tertiary medical health services in the city.

Observing that the matter required consideration, the HC bench directed the Secretary of the Union Health Ministry to file his affidavit and apprise the Court if Central Government proposes to set up any AIIMS like institute in the city of Prayagraj.

The bench further observed that this was not an adversarial litigation and while directing the Health Ministry to file the affidavit, the bench expressed its hope and trust that the actual conditions prevailing in the city with regard to availability of medical services be considered in an objective manner and the decision of the Government would be informed to the Court.

"We direct the Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi to file his affidavit and apprise the Court if Central Government proposes to set up any AIIMS like institute in the city of Prayagraj. We may observe that this is not an adversarial litigation and while directing the first respondent to file his affidavit, we hope and trust that the actual conditions prevailing in the city with regard to availability of medical services be considered in an objective manner and the decision of the Government be informed to the Court," the bench ordered.

The matter has been listed for further hearing on 1st August, 2024.

To view the order, click on the link below:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/allahabad-hc-244453.pdf

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