HC takes suo motu cognizance of non functional oxygen plants at Bilaspur district hosp

Raipur: The Chhattisgarh high court has taken suo motu cognisance of the non-functional oxygen plants at Bilaspur district hospital and the absence of doctors during emergency services.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru directed the additional chief secretary of health and family welfare department to file a personal affidavit regarding these issues and listed the matter for Sept 30.
According to the suo motu PIL, the oxygen plants built at a cost of crores of rupees in the Bilaspur district hospital are lying closed, resulting in the stoppage of oxygen supply to NICU, ICU, and other wards. During the COVID-19 pandemic, three oxygen plants were installed in the district hospital, but no employees have been deployed for their upkeep and maintenance. The plants are being operated by untrained employees and computer operators, leading to the breakdown of two oxygen plants.
Currently, oxygen supply is being provided through cylinders brought from outside, with approximately 30 to 50 cylinders required daily. It is alleged that the officers and employees are deprived of the commission they would receive if the oxygen plants were in operation. The hospital management has been making various excuses but has not attempted to restart the oxygen plants installed at huge expenses, the petition said.
Similarly, the suo motu PIL regarding Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Memorial Hospital states that the OPD in the hospital are closed, and doctors perform their duties only on call for emergency situations. The hospital is being run with the help of medical staff only. During holidays, the health centres are left in emergency mode, and no medicine is available for outpatients, even for minor diseases. In the district hospital, locks were found on the OPD rooms, causing patients to suffer due to such conduct.
The advocate general representing the state sought time to take necessary instructions in the matter.