Madras HC seeks report on vacant posts, non-functional equipment at Govt Medical College Hospitals
Madurai: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed the Directors of Medical Education and Public Health and Preventive Medicine to submit a report on vacant posts and non-functional medical equipment in government medical college hospitals in the districts under its jurisdiction.
The direction was issued while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking the filling of vacant posts and ensuring the availability of necessary medical equipment at these hospitals.
The petitioner submitted RTI responses obtained from the concerned hospitals, which allegedly showed a shortage of healthcare staff. According to the petition, nearly 47 doctor posts and more than 150 medical officer posts remain vacant in the government medical college hospitals covered by the plea.
The plea also highlighted issues with medical equipment. Several pieces of equipment at government medical college hospitals in Tiruchy and Thoothukudi were reportedly non-functional, according to the petitioner.
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During the hearing, the government counsel informed the Bench that budgetary allocation had already been made to address the issues and sought additional time to submit a detailed response.
The litigant, K Muruganandam of Pudukkottai, had submitted various RTI reports obtained from the above hospitals which indicated significant dearth in the number of staff. Nearly 47 posts of doctors and over 150 posts of medical officers are vacant in the above hospitals. Similarly, several equipment remain non-functional in the government medical college hospitals in Tiruchy and Thoothukudi, he added, according to The New Indian Express.
Taking note of the submission, the Bench comprising Justices CV Karthikeyan and R Sakthivel directed the Director of Medical Education and the Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine to file their response.
The Court subsequently adjourned the matter to October 6, when the government's response is expected to be considered.
