Gujarat HC issues notice over AMC's bid to demolish Vadilal Sarabhai Hospital

Ahmedabad: Hearing a writ petition challenging the decision of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation to demolish nine blocks at Vadilal Sarabhai Hospital, which provides free healthcare treatments to the poor and needy patients of the city, the Gujarat High Court asked the AMC to explain its decision. 

During the hearing of the case, a bench of Chief Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice Ashutosh Shastri asked 'Why do you plan to demolish the building? What do you want to do next?"

In response, the lawyer of AMC authorities said that the building is in dilapidated condition. AMU counsel was unable to provide an explanation when they were asked about the future plans after demolishing the building and requested time to respond to the court's queries.

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In the writ petition filed by the advocate and activist K R Koshti, it was stated that the VS hospital provides free healthcare services to the poor section of the city, and demolishing the building would stop the services from reaching the needy people. As a result, thousands of patients who come for treatment at VS Hospital every day will have to suffer a lot.

In addition, it also raises concerns about the hospital's clinical training and teaching of future doctors. Knowing AMC's plan to demolish nine blocks of the hospital covering a carpet area of more than 4,700 sq mt, Koshti filed a petition in the High Court, TOI reports. 

AMC authorities have also issued tenders for the work of demolishing these nine blocks. The authorities claimed that SVP hospitals provide relief to patients and provide health services at reasonable rates but in reality, SVP hospitals also charge high charges like private hospitals.

The case will be heard by the High Court on Thursday.

During the first wave of the pandemic, Koshti had filed the PIL urging the court to direct civic authorities not to close the V S Hospital after the corporation opened the SVP Hospital on the same campus.

The PIL sought resumption of medical facilities including a diagnostic centre, surgeries, and treatment which were stopped gradually after the new hospital began operations.

The PIL which is pending at the court also urged the continuation of the VS hospital which offers free treatment to the patients and discontinuing the hospital would affect the poor and needy patients of the city.

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