Necessary medical equipment at public hospitals sought

A Supreme Court lawyer yesterday filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking its directive on the government to arrange necessary number of medical equipment at public hospitals to accurately diagnose diseases and provide proper treatment to patients.

Lawyer Md JR Khan Robin submitted the petition as a public interest litigation, also requesting the HC to order the authorities concerned of the government to take necessary steps to repair the inactive equipment of the hospitals.

In the petition, he prayed to the HC to issue a rule asking the authorities to explain why their failure to take necessary steps to this effect should not be declared illegal.

Secretaries to the ministries of health and home, director general of directorate of health services and director of central medical stores depot have been made respondents to the required rule. 

In the petition, JR Khan said the state is responsible to ensure people's right to health and life under the constitution.

But, different public hospitals are reportedly facing shortage of medical equipment and many equipment are ineffective although the government has allocated budget for this purpose, he added in the petition.

He said he will move the petition before a bench as per HC permission as early as possible.