Jammu: The Division Bench of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and Ladakh, consisting of Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice MA Chowdhary, has expressed strong dissatisfaction regarding the healthcare services in both Union Territories. The Bench also raised concerns over the failure of the J&K and Ladakh administrations to respond to the suggestions submitted by the petitioner in a public interest litigation.
During the hearing, Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed, representing the petitioner, Balwinder Singh, highlighted the issue of medical officers being frequently reassigned from rural areas to urban centers. This practice, according to the petitioner, has led to a shortage of medical facilities in rural areas, resulting in avoidable untimely deaths.
Additionally, the Bench was informed that there has been no recruitment of dental surgeons in J&K since 2012, and there is a shortage of these medical professionals in rural areas. This lack of resources further exacerbates the healthcare crisis in these regions.
The Court strongly criticized the casual approach to healthcare in rural areas, noting that access to basic healthcare services should be a top priority for the government in a welfare state. The Bench directed the Health and Medical Education Department of both Union Territories to take immediate action to address these issues. It also ordered that a response to the 14 suggestions submitted by the petitioner be filed within four weeks.
The Court’s remarks underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to improving healthcare infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, to ensure that the public receives the essential medical services they require.
