Kerala HC seeks action plan to address safety lapses in Govt Hospitals
Mumbai Court Dismisses Pleas in Gang-Related JJ Hospital Shootout Case
Kochi: The Kerala High Court has directed the Additional Chief Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department to submit an affidavit detailing the proposed plan to resolve various flaws affecting the efficient functioning and safety of public hospitals across the state. The directive came while hearing a petition concerning the collapse of an old building at the Government Medical College Hospital, Kottayam.
According to The Times of India report, a bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice V M Syam Kumar was considering a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by a resident of Mavelikkara, Alappuzha, and two others, seeking proper administrative facilities in all govt medical colleges, hospitals, and health centres across the state. The PIL was prompted by the death of a woman who passed away after the collapse of an old building on July 3 at the Govt Medical College Hospital, Kottayam. Moreover, Dr Haris Chirackal of the Govt Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, also disclosed that there has been a severe shortage of surgical equipment at the hospital.
Earlier, the court had instructed the Kerala Legal Services Authority (KeLSA) to gather and submit information on the deficiencies in public healthcare institutions. The data was to be compiled with the help of District Legal Services Authorities (DeLSAs) and Taluk Legal Services Committees and then forwarded to the Grievance Redressal Committee for Clinical Establishments for further examination, reports the Daily.
After that, the committee informed HC that a report had been provided based on the details provided by KeLSA and forwarded it to the state government. It was further mentioned that the issues raised by KeLSA were grouped into four categories: infrastructure, shortage of staff, shortage of medicines and equipment, and adequacy of premises.
After carefully analysing the report, HC suggested that the government should develop a proper methodology to address the mentioned issues and directed the additional chief secretary to file an affidavit with a proposed course of action. The directive aims to ensure that the issues affecting infrastructure and safety standards in government hospitals are systematically identified and addressed through proper administrative planning.
