Sanjiv Joshi vs State Of Odisha And Others

The reports submitted by the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) both at Kalahandi, Bhawanipatna and Nawarangpur depict a dismal picture of the state of public health services in both the Districts. While the dire situation that existed during the COVID-19 pandemic may now have eased, the fact remains that the basic problems impeding public health infrastructure are unaddressed. This includes availability of sufficient medical personnel, nurses and staff not only at the District Headquarters Hospital (DHHs) in both districts but also at the Community Health Centers (CHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in Taluks/Tahasils and blocks in both districts. Further, the facilities like X-ray, ECG, Ultra Sound are shown not to be available. The bed capacities are inadequate, the buildings in several places are in a dilapidated condition. In many places a single doctor or worse still, a Pharamcist, was found running the entire CHC and the patients were forced to seek private medical care at unaffordable personal expense.

The reports are fairly detailed as the teams have visited almost every CHC and a sampling of PHCs. Another aspect that gives cause for concern is the lack of proper training being imparted to the ASHA workers and paramedical staff. The Court would like to reiterate that the concerns expressed by the Petitioner are not limited to the situation that prevailed during the COVID 19 pandemic but about the general status of the public health system in the two districts. And yet Kalahandi and Nawarangpur are just symptomatic of the general condition of the public health system in the other districts in Odisha.

Mr. Joshi, who appears in virtual mode has taken the Court through the reports, urges that directions may be issued to the State to put in place a plan of action to address each of the shortcomings pointed out in the reports of the two DLSAs.

Mr. B.P. Tripathy, learned Additional Government Advocate appearing for the State, undertakes that detailed affidavits will be filed addressing each of the shortcomings pointed out in the report of the two DLSAs.

It is directed that Chief District Medical Officers (CDMOs) of Kalahandi and Nawarangpur shall on or before 1st May, 2023 each file an affidavit giving updated status on each of the above aspects including filling up of all the vacant posts of doctors, nurses and staff, stocking of medicines, the repairs to the buildings and general infrastructure, the availability of the facilities of ambulance, X ray, ECG, Ultra Sound, testing facilities as well as training provided to ASHA and paramedical staff. Both CDMOs shall remain present in virtual mode on the next date.

List on 16th May, 2023 at 2 pm.

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