Allahabad HC seeks roadmap to prevent repeated referrals of critically ill patients

Lucknow: The Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to draw up a time-bound roadmap to strengthen medical facilities at newly established medical colleges, with the aim of ensuring that critically ill patients receive timely treatment without being repeatedly referred from one hospital to another.

A Lucknow bench comprising Justice Rajan Roy and Justice Manjive Shukla directed the state government to submit the proposed plan before the court through an affidavit. The plan is expected to set out both immediate steps and longer-term measures for improving healthcare infrastructure and treatment capacity.

The court also sought details of the share of the state budget being allocated towards medical facilities and healthcare services. While seeking the financial details, the bench observed that shortage of funds should not become a reason for failing to provide necessary medical treatment.

According to the PTI report, the directions were issued while hearing a public interest litigation concerning the death of a newborn who was moved between multiple healthcare facilities after being taken from Sultanpur to Lucknow for treatment. 

According to the proceedings, the infant was subsequently taken to several major institutions in the state capital, including King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS) and Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI).

The court noted that the child was suffering from an ailment requiring immediate attention. Even if the child had to be shifted from Sultanpur to a referral hospital in Lucknow, the ambulance should have been equipped with the necessary facilities. However, an ordinary ambulance was used. The court noted that SGPGI doctors had said that this was the first stage at which the child's condition was compromised and that it may have deteriorated further, reports PTI. 

The movement of a critically ill patient across different institutions has brought attention to the need for adequate treatment facilities closer to the point of first admission, particularly at newer medical colleges.

The High Court’s latest directions seek to address this issue at the system level by requiring the state to identify gaps in infrastructure, services and preparedness and set out specific measures to address them.

The additional chief secretary, Medical Health and Family Welfare, has been directed to place the roadmap and the requested budget details before the court on affidavit.

The matter will now be considered after the state submits the required information, allowing the court to examine the proposed measures and their timelines for strengthening medical services.