The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has taken serious note of the difficulties faced by patients at Government Medical College & Hospital (GMC&H) and has directed that a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) be filed on the issue. The matter came up before a division bench of Justice Anil Kilor and Justice Raj Wakode on Monday. The court observed that, thousands of patients from Vidarbha, as well as neighbouring states such as Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Madhya Pradesh, visit the hospital every day with hopes of receiving proper treatment. According to information placed before the court, more than 2,000 patients visit the hospital’s OPD daily, while over 500 patients are admitted to the Emergency Department. However, patients continue to face problems due to a shortage of staff and inadequate facilities. The court noted that, although the hospital has a sufficient number of wheelchairs and stretchers, there are not enough ward attendants to assist patients.

 

As a result, patients and their relatives often struggle to move from one department to another. It was also brought to the court’s notice that, 82 of the 394 sanctioned attendant posts are vacant. Out of the 312 filled posts, around 50 employees are engaged in office work, leaving only about 262 attendants for patient care. After accounting for leave and other absence, only 240 to 250 attendants are available across three shifts. The court was informed that more than 900 patients require wheelchairs or stretchers every day, but only three attendants are deployed in the OPD section. Taking serious note of the situation, the High Court appointed advocate Isha Thakre as Amicus Curiae and directed her to file an appropriate Public Interest Litigation within two weeks so that the issues can be examined in detail and necessary directions issued.