‘Govt must take RIMS affairs seriously to save it from closure’
The matter relates to suo motu cognizance taken by HC over poor management of RIMS during the Covid-19 pandemic
RANCHI: The Jharkhand high court (HC) on Friday once again expressed displeasure over the shoddy condition of the state’s biggest hospital--Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi, which, according to the bench, lacks basic infrastructure and human resources, including faculty members for better functioning.
A division bench of chief justice Dr Ravi Ranjan and justice Sujit Narayan Prasad observed, “Having only one CT scan machine in such a big hospital speaks volume about its mismanagement.”
“Many testing facilities are not available at RIMS due to lack of equipment, several posts are lying vacant in want of competent doctors. If this situation persists, the hospital may face closure one day and no one can save it,” the bench said.
It was also pointed out that
RIMS management and the state government have been purchasing equipment for the last nine months, but not a single one was procured.
“Vacancies of doctors have not been filled up by giving excuses of unavailability of a competent lot. The government must take it seriously to rejig the prevailing arrangements,” the bench said.
It sought a detailed reply from RIMS within two weeks regarding steps taken to fill up the vacancies, and directed to set up basic infrastructure, institution’s financial policy and other issues. It also questioned the number of new equipment purchased during Covid-19 lockdown and sought an explanation as to why CT scan machines and other pathological equipment were not purchased till date.
The matter relates to suo moto cognizance taken by the court over poor management of RIMS during the coronavirus pandemic.
During the course of hearing on Friday, RIMS informed the court that tenders were floated for purchase of certain equipment, but the same could not be materialised due to participation of a single bidder or absolute non-participation. “Tenders would be invited again,” RIMS said.
The court, however, showed its displeasure, saying that there was sheer administrative lapses in the hospital’s functioning. “Why had RIMS not opted GeM (Government e-Marketplace) portal for these purchases? It shows that the institution does not have its own financial policy,” the bench said.
RIMS also informed that vacancies against post of tutors could not be filled up, as the matter was pending in the HC. This apart, a total of 109 vacancies currently exist at the hospital out of 210 sanctioned posts, but recruitments could not be done in want of competent candidates, RIMS submitted.