Nanded Hospital Deaths: Bombay HC Seeks Info From Govt On Steps Taken To Fill Vacancies, Medical Supplies

The Bombay HC has asked the Maharashtra government to file an affidavit stating steps taken to fill vacancies and to meet demand and supplies in state-run hospitals.

Infant patients admitted at Dr Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College and Hospital where as many as 31 deaths, including 16 infants, were recorded in 48 hours.

Source : PTI

The Bombay High Court on Friday directed the Maharashtra Government to file an affidavit about the steps taken to fill the vacancies in government hospitals in the past six months and the demand and supplies to the government hospitals during the same period. According to ANI, the court also asked the medical procurement authority to file an affidavit in accordance with the 2023 Act for its purchases, appointments and available staff.

The court said that the affidavit filed by the Principal Secretary of Medical Education should also give details of the institutions attached with Nanded for medical supplies in the past one year, adding that similar details can also be provided by the Principal Secretary of Public Health Department also for other hospitals.

The court was hearing a suo moto PIL in connection with the deaths of patients, including children, in state-run hospitals in Nanded and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra. The court asked the causes of the deaths and inquired if any action was being taken on medicine procurement, sanitation and to fill up vacancies of doctors. Around 31 patients died at Dr Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College & Hospital. The deceased included 16 infants.

"Court: we will flag some issues: 
1 medicine procurement mechanism - how does it reach the hospitals.
2 sanitation and cleanliness inside and outside hospitals. 
3 vacancy of doctors - what is sanctioned strength and specialised doctors number," the court said, as quoted by Bar and Bench.

Meanwhile, questioning the state government over the handling of patients, the court observed that only 43 of the sanctioned senior resident doctors were there. 

"How is this justifiable? Patients are managed by senior residents," the court asked. In its order, the court said it has taken on record the report placed by AG into the matter. 

The Bombay High Court also says that the affidavit filed by Principal Secretary of Medical Education should also give details of the institutions attached with Nanded for medical supplies in past one year. Similar details can also be provided by the Principal Secretary of Public…

— ANI (@ANI) October 6, 2023

The report in HC says - few patients could not survive because they were referred by the private hospitals at a very late stage. Report also states that all medicines and other supplies were available and were administered as per protocols. 

It underlined the need for more manpower and a New NICU in Nanded Medical Colleges as per the report of the Medical Commission. The report also mentioned that out of 97 posts, only 49 are filled, as quoted by Bar and Bench.

The court has asked the principal secretary in the Department of Public Health, the principal secretary of medical education and drugs, the government of Maharashtra and the Maharashtra Medical Goods Procurement Authority to be made party respondents in the case.

Citing the report, the court said that against 325 posts, 273 posts are filled in leaving vacancies against 47 posts. The report also mentions data against vacancy of senior residents, as against 97 sanctioned posts only 49 are filled in, it added.

The Bombay High Court (HC) on Wednesday took suo motu cognisance of the deaths at two hospitals in Nanded and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar cities and noted that the shortage of beds, staff and essential medicines was unacceptable.