High court seeks government reply on hospitals in Patna by July 19

PATNA: The Patna high court has sought government’s reply on the condition of health centres in Patna, including Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH).
While hearing a PIL filed by Vikas Chandra alias Guddu Baba, the division bench of Justices Jyoti Saran and Partha Sarthy on Monday asked the state government to submit its reply by July 19. The petitioner submitted a detailed report on the infrastructure in government hospitals and the primary health centres to the court, which had authorized him on June 25 to inspect the facilities, including PMCH and Nalanda Medical College and Hospital.
Chandra said the case would be taken up for the next hearing on July 19. The petitioner said he would inspect machines (read apparatus) for medical tests at the PMCH on Tuesday.
“I have already sought an appointment with the PMCH superintendent, who has promised to cooperate with me,” Chandra told this newspaper. Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) and Indira Gandhi Institute of Cardiology (IGIC) are next on the list.
Referring to the inspection report submitted to the court, Chandra said he was taken aback when he visited the PMCH recently. The toilets meant for the attendants were stinking and human excreta were found on the floor. “How can someone use such toilets?” he said.
Similarly, the medical incharge, doctors and paramedical staff, who were present at the PHCs and other government hospitals, revealed that the drugs in demand were not supplied. “Costly drugs, which are less required, are supplied to the hospitals. Moreover, drugs that are likely to expire are made available to the hospitals,” Chandra said.