"State Heading Towards Health Emergency, Non Availability Of CT Scan Machine A Matter Of Serious Concern": Jharkhand HC Seeks Response Of State Authorities

While hearing a bunch of petitions highlighting the shortage of testing facilities, beds, medical facilities and failure of state machinery to cater the need of patients in the difficult times of pandemic, the Jharkhand High Court this week took note of the issue of non availability of CT Scan machine in RIMS, the sole premier institute in the State by calling the same as "a matter of serious concern."

A division bench comprising of Chief Justice Ravi Ranjan and Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad sought response of Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department of the State to apprise the Court about the update of purchasing CT Scan machine and also asked the Deputy Commissioner, Ranchi and Ranchi Municipal Corporation to apprise the Court as to how to make operational the Electric Crematorium constructed near Swarna Rekha River on the next date of hearing.

"This Court vide order dated 12.04.2021 has shown its concern about the issue like non-availability of CT scan machine in RIMS. It is the sole premier institute in the State of Jharkhand and as such, in the Pandemic COVID-19, non-availability of CT scan machine in an institute like RIMS is the matter of serious concern. Due surge in Corona Pandemic, the State is heading towards health emergency. Sick people have been compelled to move in anticipation that the officials' machinery will cater their needs but all in vain as there is shortage of testing facilities, beds and medical infrastructure to deal with the situation. What to say of others, the premier institution like RIMS is not having a CT scan machine." The Court o observed at the outset.

The Court had on previous hearing dated 8th April had observed thus:

"The State authorities must keep in mind that Corona pandemic is at surge and the CT Scan Machine is a primary diagnostic apparatus/ equipment which is required for proper investigation as to whether Corona infection has reached to the lungs or not. It goes without saying that whenever Corona comes down the lungs, the situation becomes grave and the life of a patient becomes at stake. In such a situation, this is a very pitiable thing that an Institution like RIMS is not having even a single CT Scan Machine in its hospital today. "

Followed by this, during the course of previous hearing dated 12th April, the Court while expressing its concern on the situation, was apprised by the Secretary of Health Department of the State that a proposal has been placed before the Cabinet Coordination Committee for post facto approval of purchase of CT Scan machine. It was due to this that the Court had directed the Secretary to apprise the Court on the update of such purchase on the next date of hearing.

In view of this, it was submitted by the Principal Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Department of the State that CT Scan machine will be purchased soon for which a proposal will be placed before the Governing Body for taking a decision and also for the purchase of RT PCR machines in view of the heavy load of samples due to which reports were not coming out in time, leading to the spread of covid 19 infections.

It was also submitted that the Secretary has coordinated with the Departmental Minister for convening a meeting of Governing Body on 13th April.

On the other hand, Ranchi Municipal Corporation had informed the Court that the Electric Crematorium was not in a working position due to heavy load, however, serious efforts were being taken to make it workable.

In view of the aforesaid submissions, the Court issued the following directions:

- The Deputy Commissioner, Ranchi and Ranchi Municipal Corporation will coordinate and apprise this Court, about the Electric Crematorium which has been constructed at Ghagra Ghat (near Swarna Rekha River) how to make it operational, by way of an affidavit to be filed before the next date of hearing.

- The Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department will apprise this Court about up-date pertaining to purchase of CT scan machine as also the decision of the Governing Body scheduled to be held today on 5:00 p.m.

The matter will now be heard on 17th April 2021.

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