Himachal High Court seeks reply on shortage of staff at Kullu hospital

Legal Correspondent

Shimla, July 5

The HP High Court today issued notice to Principal Secretary (Health), Director Health Services and Chief Medical Officer, Regional Hospital Kullu, in a matter pertaining to the shortage of Medical Officers (specialist), medical officers and other medical facilities in the regional hospital, Kullu.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice AA Sayed and Justice Sandeep Sharma further directed the state authorities to file their responses within two weeks and listed the mater for further hearing on July 21.

While passing this order the court observed, that “meanwhile, it is expected from the respondents to post at least one paediatrician in the hospital within two days from today”.

The court passed this order on a Public Interest Litigation filed by Pankaj Parmar, chairman, Zila Parishad, Kullu. The petitioner alleged that due to shortage of Medical Officers (specialist), other Medical Officers and para medical staff, the people have to run to the IGMC Shimla, RPGMC, Tanda and Chandigarh for treatment. Due to inadequate Medical Officers and other amenities the general public at large has to run from pillar to post. The petitioner has alleged that the matter has been taken up time and again but to no avail.

The petitioner has further alleged that the Chief Minister had inaugurated a 100-bed Mother Child Hospital block at Regional Hospital Kullu on June 18 but there is no Medical Officer (Specialist) pediatrician or radiologist and only one gynecologist has been posted. It has been further alleged that the state has failed to fill vacancies of Medical Officers and to provide appropriate medical facilities in the regional hospital.

The petitioner has prayed that the respondents be directed to fill the vacancies of Medical Officers (Specialist), other Medical Officers and staff immediately so that general public do not suffer. The petitioner has further prayed for directions to the respondents to make the 100-bed Mother Child Hospital block functional.

Post paediatrician immediately

It is expected from the respondents to post at least one paediatrician in the hospital within two days. — HC Bench