The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has directed the authorities to submit detailed information on patient footfall and the availability of attendants, nurses, and support staff in government hospitals across 10 districts of Vidarbha. The order expands the court’s scrutiny of patient care facilities beyond Nagpur as part of an ongoing suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) concerning deficiencies in patient assistance services.
PIL Originated Over Shortage of Patient Support Staff
The directions were issued during the hearing of a suo motu PIL initiated after reports highlighted a shortage of attendants for moving stretchers and wheelchairs at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Nagpur.
The reports indicated that seriously ill, disabled, and vulnerable patients were being left without adequate assistance because of insufficient support staff at the hospital.
High Court Expands Scope of Proceedings
A division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode observed that the issue required examination across government hospitals in the Vidarbha region and expanded the scope of the proceedings beyond Nagpur.
The court had earlier taken suo motu cognisance of the reports regarding deficiencies in patient assistance services and appointed Isha Thakre as amicus curiae to assist in the matter.
Hospitals Across Vidarbha Added as Respondents
During the hearing, the bench directed that government hospitals in all Vidarbha districts, except Wardha, be impleaded as respondents.
The hospitals include Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Nagpur, Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital (IGGMCH), popularly known as Mayo Hospital, and government hospitals in the remaining nine districts of the region.
Court Seeks Details on Manpower and Patient Load
The High Court has directed the authorities to submit details of the average daily patient footfall at each hospital, along with the number of attendants, nurses, and other support personnel deployed for patient care.
The bench stated that the information would enable the court to assess whether the existing workforce is adequate to manage the patient load and evaluate the quality of services being provided in government hospitals.
The matter has been listed for further hearing after three weeks, when the court will review the information submitted by the authorities and consider further directions.
Important Highlights
- The Bombay High Court has sought details of patient footfall and staffing in government hospitals across 10 districts of Vidarbha.
- The directions were issued during a suo motu PIL concerning shortages of patient support staff at GMCH, Nagpur.
- Government hospitals across Vidarbha, except those in Wardha district, have been added as respondents.
- Authorities have been asked to provide data on attendants, nurses, support staff, and average daily patient load.
- The matter will be heard again after three weeks following submission of the required information.
