Poothotta : The Kerala High Court has directed the State Government and the Ernakulam District Collector to ensure the resumption of inpatient services at the Poothotta Community Health Centre (CHC) within four months. The court’s order came in response to a writ petition filed by three residents of Manakkunnam.
In its observations, the court pointed out that inpatient services at the health centre had been discontinued since March 10, 2020. While a new building had been constructed for the facility, it was found that essential amenities such as a ramp and lift were still missing, hindering the hospital’s operation.
The bench remarked that it was unacceptable that the hospital had not been operational despite the completion of construction. It further stated that the absence of a ramp and lift made the situation illegal, as a health facility must provide proper access to all patients. The court gave the government a clear deadline to address the issue, ensuring that inpatient services would resume within the specified time frame.
The directive highlights the urgent need to improve infrastructure and accessibility at health centres to meet the demands of the public, especially during ongoing health challenges.
