Do You Have Plans To Set Up An AIIMS-Like Institute In Prayagraj?: High Court Asks Union Health Ministry
Image: Zia Rizvi
The Allahabad High Court has asked the Union Health Ministry if the Central Government plans to establish a premier healthcare institution similar to the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Prayagraj.
This directive came in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) plea filed by Sahaj-Sarathi Foundation and another highlighting the inadequacy of medical facilities and infrastructure in the city.
The counsel for the petitioners submitted before a bench of Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta and Justice Manish Kumar Nigam that Prayagraj, with a population of over 5.9 million as per the 2011 Census, urgently needs improved medical facilities.
It was argued that the city is a major administrative and educational hub, hosting the Allahabad High Court, the Commissioner of four districts, and several central and state government establishments.
The counsel for the petitioners also submitted that key institutions in Prayagraj include Allahabad University, the Central Administrative Tribunal, the National Company Law Tribunal, the Debts Recovery Tribunal, the Auditor General of Uttar Pradesh, the Principal Controller of Defence Account, Moti Lal Nehru Institute of Technology, the Indian Institute of Information Technology, and the Harish Chandra Research Institute.
Importantly, it was contended that despite its prominence, Prayagraj's medical facilities are severely lacking as the existing Medical College and T.B. Sapru Hospital, both state-run institutions, offer subpar medical services.
A supplementary affidavit submitted with the PIL detailed the dilapidated conditions of the hospital buildings and the inadequacies of the medical services provided.
The petitioners also submitted that Prayagraj meets most of the criteria outlined in the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana, which aims to address regional imbalances in tertiary healthcare and enhance medical education facilities.
Given these factors, they argued that the Central Government should establish an AIIMS-like institute in Prayagraj to provide specialized tertiary medical services per the policy.
Given the serious concerns raised in the PIL plea, the High Court deemed the matter worthy of consideration. It directed the Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to submit an affidavit detailing whether there are any plans to establish an AIIMS-like institute in Prayagraj.
The Court, however, added that this is not adversarial litigation. It expressed hope that the actual conditions prevailing in the city regarding the availability of medical services would be considered objectively and the government's decision would be informed to the Court.
The matter has been posted for further hearing on August 1.
Case title - Sahaj-Sarathi Foundation And Another vs. Union Of India And 7 Others