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| DB cracks whip over defunct MRI, CT Scan machines in Jammu hospitals | | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Mar 10: Taking serious note of dysfunctional MRI and CT Scan machines in major Government hospitals of Jammu, the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh on Tuesday expressed grave concern over the delay in procurement of essential diagnostic equipment and impleaded the Managing Director of J&K Medical Supplies Corporation Limited as a party respondent in the ongoing suo-moto PIL and directed him to appear through virtual mode.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal was hearing the much-publicised suo-moto PIL, Court on its own motion Vs UT of J&K, initiated on the basis of a media report published in Daily Excelsior regarding sudden stoppage of life-saving cardiac implants, stents and consumables affecting critical cardiac services such as angiography, angioplasty, stenting and CCU management.
During the hearing, the Bench put specific queries to Principal GMC Jammu, Dr Ashutosh Gupta, who appeared through virtual mode. He informed the Court that the MRI machine at GMC Jammu had remained non-functional for the last two months, while CT Scan machines at Super Speciality Hospital and SMGS Hospital, Jammu, had been lying defunct for over a year. He, however, submitted that the MRI machine at GMC Jammu has now been repaired and made functional, and that orders for purchase of two new CT Scan machines for SMGS Hospital and SSH Jammu have already been placed through J&K Medical Supplies Corporation Limited.
The Division Bench expressed grave concern over the delay in procurement of the CT Scan machines and, in view of the situation, impleaded J&K Medical Supplies Corporation Limited through its Managing Director as respondent in the PIL. Senior AAG Monika Kohli accepted notice on his behalf in open court. The Bench also directed the Managing Director to join the proceedings on Wednesday through virtual mode.
During the proceedings, Amicus Curiae Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed, assisted by Advocates Supriya Chouhan and Mohd Zulker Nain Choudhary, also brought to the notice of the Court that despite a ban on private practice by Heads of Departments in Government Medical Colleges, the Head of Department, Radio Diagnosis, GMC Jammu, was allegedly engaged in private practice. It was submitted that this was reflected in a communication by the Director Health Services Jammu to the Administrative Department, with a copy marked to the Principal, GMC Jammu, mentioning three private labs where the HOD was allegedly practicing.
The amicus further submitted that no action had been taken so far against the concerned HOD despite an enquiry report having reportedly indicted the officer. Taking note of the sensitivity of the matter, the Division Bench directed the Registry to list the PIL again on Wednesday for further hearing.
(JNF) |
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