Swine flu: Gujarat High Court tears into govt's world class health infra claim

The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday lambasted the state government for its failure to develop the required infrastructure in district hospitals to tackle the menace of swine flu.

The division bench of Acting Chief Justice AS Dave and Justice Biren Vaishnav remarked that the cases of swine flu are reported every year and it is going to continue in the years to come. However, the state has failed to develop the basic infrastructure resulting in difficulties for patients as they have to rush to hospitals in major cities for treatment. Interestingly, only nine district hospitals in the state have the required laboratory facility to detect swine flu cases.

"Civil hospital of a district is not capable of managing swine flu cases? If posts of doctors, paramedics, and other required staff remain vacant, how will you manage swine flu?" the court questioned the state government. Additional advocate general (AAG) PK Jani appearing for the state pointed out that state is facing shortage of doctors just like others states and availability of funds is not an issue. This irked Justice Dave, who remarked: "For how many years, the shortage of doctors is going to continue? No shortage is there in private hospitals. How are they managing?"

The bench said it wants the state government to ensure that each district hospital has the required manpower and infrastructure to tackle the cases of swine flu. It also directed the state government to set-up isolation wards in district hospitals to take care of swine flu cases.

Bring private hospitals under govt's ambit

The division bench on Tuesday reminded the state government that it can invoke legal provisions under the Bombay Contagious Diseases Act to bring private hospitals under the state government's ambit to tackle spread of contagious diseases. The court said the state can invoke these provisions, if required. The court was also critical of the private hospitals, which are more interested in doing business rather than treatment of patients.

Provide info on medical infra by Friday

While the state on Tuesday failed to provide details of the medical infrastructure, the court directed the government to provide details of the infrastructure available in district hospitals of Gujarat to tackle swine flu cases as well as the diagnostic infrastructure required for cardiology. The court also directed the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation to provide details of the how many people were tested for swine flu, how many of them tested positive, and the efforts taken by the civic body to contain the H1N1 menace.

Doctors should serve the country

Speaking on the issue of shortage of doctors, the AAG said the medical fraternity should change its mindset and serve the state rather than running to America and other developed nations.