Improve state-run health facilities, apex court directs J&K high court

Taking note of inadequate medical infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, the Supreme Court has asked the high court there to improve the state-run health facilities so that residents get proper treatment.

A bench headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur told the HC to constitute a committee of medical experts to inspect government hospitals in the state. The order also emphasised the areas requiring immediate attention.

The committee will give its

SC DISPOSED STATE GOVT’S PETITION AGAINST THE J&K HC VERDICT, WHICH RULED THAT GOVT DOCTORS CAN’T PRACTICE PRIVATELY

report on the availability of adequate infrastructure, requirement of essential equipment for treatment, availability of medical staff, essential medicines and enforcement of measures to keep the hospitals clean and hygienic.

With the direction, the court disposed the state government’s petition against the J&K HC verdict, which ruled that government doctors cannot practice privately. The SC set aside the direction after the state contended the HC had overstepped its jurisdiction. The petition on which the HC gave its ruling was related to private teachers and not doctors, it said.

However, the top court referred the matter back to the HC and gave liberty to the petitioners there to file afresh to regulate government doctors and stop them from taking up private practice. But, on learning the abysmal condition of government hospitals in J&K, the bench entrusted the HC with the task to improve them through judicial orders. “We are of the view that the quality of medical care in government hospitals across the state of J&K is a matter which should receive attention,” the bench said.