Orissa HC asks Health dept to ensure basic amenities in hospitals

The Orissa High Court has expressed concern over lack of adequate number of doctors and basic facilities in government-run hospitals in the State and directed the Health department to address the issues immediately.

The HC passed the order while going through the findings of a report filed by the Odisha State Legal Services Authority (OSLSA) on the facilities in 30 the districts headquarters hospitals and other primary and community health centres. 

The OSLSA had reviewed the basic facilities in all these government-run hospitals in November last year after a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the HC by activist Chitta Ranjan Mohanty alleging inadequate facilities in the hospitals. 

As per the study conducted by the OSLSA, most hospitals do not have the required doctors, nurses and other staff.

Expressing concern over the report of the Legal Services Authority, the HC issued directions to the State health department to resolve these issues immediately. A special team will be formed by the department to check whether the directions were complied with or not. 

The court has directed the team to pay surprise visit to hospital a month after passing of the order to check whether the provision of basic amenities had improved. The court asked the health department to file an affidavit on these issues by July 31. 

The next hearing in the case will be held on August 10.