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Judgment
This matter is taken up through hybrid mode.
We have perused the affidavit filed by the State in respect of the grievance as enumerated in this Public Interest Litigation.
We are constrained to observe that this said affidavit filed by the State does not contain any road-map for improvement of hospitals in the State of Odisha. There are several categories of hospitals, operating for the health care of the citizens. The Government Hospitals are open for all, rich or poor. Anyone may come for service from those hospitals. A serious allegation has been levelled that even in the hospital premises, some agents of the private hospitals are alluring the people and in some cases, the patients are pressurized to get admitted in the private hospitals. Prima facie, we are of the view that those persons/agents cannot be allowed to operate in the Government Hospital and for that reason, the Government should come up with a regulation to stop entry of such persons, in order to stop such activities as alleged. In the affidavit that would be filed, as we are going to direct the State to file such affidavit, the Government shall also spell out whether they are in a position to enact such regulation.
Mr. Chittaranjan Mohanty, the Petitioner in person has contended that the State does not run the hospitals with efficiency and as consequence, irregularity and inadequacies in services are ruling the roost.
Having taken note of the aforesaid submission of the learned counsel and the stands taken by the State in their reply, we would like to afford a further opportunity to the State to file an additional affidavit by giving a comprehensive road map for improvement of the hospital services in Odisha and to regulate the activities of the undesirable persons who are engaged to pressurize or influence the poor patients to go to the private hospital for their health care. Such additional affidavit shall be filed within 27.06.2023 after serving an advance copy to the Petitioner. We also grant liberty to the petitioner to file further affidavit, if any, by the next date.
Let the matter be listed on 27.07.2023.
Free copy of this order be supplied to the learned counsel for the parties.
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