District Courts ill-equipped to tackle medical emergencies

Ishrat S Banwait

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 19

A medical emergency exposed the helplessness of the District Courts here today. A woman litigant suffered an attack on the premises and the in-house ambulance could not be contacted. A policewoman stationed at the gate dialled 100 from the litigant’s phone, but the PCR arrived around 15 minutes later and had a hard time taking a U-turn from the packed parking lot.

The woman was sitting near the entry gate in the area between the courts, the notaries and the lawyers’ chambers. Around 3.30 pm, she suffered an attack and was trembling. A policewoman approached her and was asked by the woman to call her family from her phone. The policewoman did so and also dialled 100 and informed the PCR about the situation. 

In the next 15 minutes, utter chaos was witnessed as no medical aid could be provided to her. Only a wheelchair was given to her along with some water as scores of people gathered around to watch the “scene”. Finally, when the PCR vehicle arrived, it had a tough time taking a U-turn as the lane next to the parking lot was also packed with cars.

An ambulance stationed inside the court complex was “as good as not being there”. While visitors did not know about the presence of any such vehicle, the on-duty police force said none of them knew how to summon it. “There is no phone number to contact the ambulance and call for it,” said a policeman. 

He said he had once asked the ambulance driver for his number who refused saying he was “temporary”. The ambulance is not visible in the vicinity for one to call for it physically. Another policeman said a similar incident occurred last week and the ambulance was summoned. However, it was unable to leave the premises due to the haphazardly parked cars.

Dispensary open only till 2 pm

The in-house dispensary in the court complex, which has first aid facilities, was closed at the time of the incident. The dispensary, which has a doctor, follows the general timings of 8 am to 2 pm. Hence, even basic medical aid is not available in the court complex after 2 pm.