Court says availability figures are meaningless if patients cannot access life-saving support during emergencies
The Allahabad High Court has raised serious concerns over the shortage of ventilators in hospitals, emphasizing that mere data on availability holds no value if patients are unable to access them in critical situations.
Court Questions Real-Time Access to Ventilators
During a hearing on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), a division bench comprising Justices Rajan Roy and Manjive Shukla questioned whether any hospital could guarantee, through an affidavit, that a ventilator would be promptly provided whenever required. The bench noted that if such assurances cannot be made, the data submitted on ventilator availability becomes ineffective.
Focus on Saving Lives, Not Just Meeting Norms
The court stressed that the priority must be to ensure sufficient availability of ventilators so that no life is lost due to shortages. It also expressed dissatisfaction with the figures presented, pointing out the absence of a clear mechanism to assess real-time demand and determine the actual requirement of ventilators.
State Asked to Disclose Healthcare Budget and Infrastructure
The bench directed the state government to clarify the proportion of its budget allocated to healthcare and to provide comprehensive details about the current status of medical infrastructure. It also urged authorities to go beyond the minimum norms set by the National Medical Commission, which recommend maintaining ventilators equivalent to 10–15% of hospital beds.
Concerns Over Private Hospital Regulation
The court sought information on whether a regulatory framework exists to monitor private hospitals and clinics, particularly regarding treatment costs and quality of services. This comes amid growing concerns over affordability and transparency in private healthcare.
Notices Issued to Centre and NMC
Notices have been issued to the central government and the National Medical Commission, making them parties to the case. The next hearing has been scheduled for May 25.
Push for Better Healthcare Distribution Across Districts
The bench observed that super-speciality healthcare facilities should not remain limited to cities like Lucknow but must be expanded to other districts to ensure equitable access.
Low Salaries Driving Doctors Away from Public Sector
The court also highlighted the issue of low salaries for government doctors, noting that it leads to migration toward private hospitals. This trend, the bench warned, weakens public healthcare services and impacts patient care.
The case underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms in healthcare infrastructure, accessibility, and workforce management to prevent avoidable loss of lives.
