The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has issued an order directing the State Government to present an affidavit detailing the measures taken regarding the halted construction of the District General Hospital on Koradi Road. The implementation of these measures is expected to align with the guidelines outlined under the National Health Mission. Furthermore, the division bench of Justice Nitin Sambre and Justice Abhay Mantri has instructed the Government to furnish an affidavit concerning the utilisation of the approved Rs 9.72 crore funds designated for the development of the hospital. The High Court has sought clarification from the Government on the actions taken towards the hospital’s advancement subsequent to its approval in 2016. While funds have been sanctioned by the State Government for the hospital’s construction, the petitioner contends that the allocated Rs 9.71 crore for furniture and other equipment procurement remains outstanding. Taking cognisance of the information, the High Court has mandated the State Government to respond within four weeks regarding the disbursed funds.

 

Additionally, the High Court has directed the establishment of a patient welfare committee at the district level and also directed a comprehensive report on its implementation and adherence to National Health Mission guidelines. The State Government has endorsed the construction of a 100-bed district hospital within the premises of the Government Mental Hospital and allocated a fund of Rs 28.48 crore for this purpose, as per the petition. Social activists Satyavrat Dutta and Dharamadas Bagde have filed a public interest litigation (PIL) due to the impeded progress of the District General Hospital construction on Koradi Road. The State Government’s policy mandates the establishment of a District General Hospital in each district’s headquarters.

 

A proposal for the Nagpur District General Hospital was forwarded to the Government in 2012 which received administrative approval in 2016 and subsequent funding in 2018. N S A construction company was awarded the contract for hospital construction, with an initial completion timeline of 18 months. However, the project remains incomplete which leaves citizens devoid of essential healthcare amenities. Furthermore, the Government’s failure to institute a patient welfare committee exacerbates the situation, as highlighted by the petitioners in the petition. Respondents named in the PIL include the Chief Secretary of the State, Principal Secretary of Urban Development Department, Principal Secretary of Medical Education, Medicines and Research Department, Principal Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Department, and the District Collector.