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The Jharkhand High Court has expressed its dissatisfaction towards the inadequate medical facilities in Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi. It took note of the shortage of CT scan machines amid rising Covid infections and said, “non-availability of CT scan machines in an institute like RIMS is a matter of serious concern.”
Chief Justice Ravi Ranjan and Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad sought the Principal Secretary’s, (Health and Family Welfare Department) response to apprise the Court about purchasing sufficient CT scan machines. It also asked the Deputy Commissioner and Ranchi Municipal Corporation to inform the Court about the various means by which the electric crematorium constructed near Subarnarekha River can be made operational.
Observing that the State is heading towards a ‘health emergency’, the court said, “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 a matter of serious concern. Due to the surge in Corona pandemic, the State is heading towards a 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.”
The court has previously highlighted the importance of adequate medical facilities amid surging numbers in Jharkhand. On April 8, the court had said, “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 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.”
State’s response
The Secretary (Health Department) had already informed the court that a proposal has been placed before the Cabinet Coordination Committee for post facto approval of purchase of CT scan machines. On this issue, the court has now directed the Secretary to update it on the said purchase by the next date of hearing.
“The matter is at the advance stage before the Coordination Committee for taking post-facto approval of the Committee and he is expecting an early decision on this, so that the purchase of CT scan machine will be expedited on priority basis,” recorded the order.
The Ranchi Municipal Corporation had earlier submitted before the court that the electronic crematorium is overburdened and hence not in a working condition. The electric crematorium at Ghagra Ghat (near Subarnarekha river) has never been handed over to the RMC by the Ranchi Regional Development Authority, as per the State’s response. The High Court has now sought a solution from the government to make the crematorium functional by way of an affidavit.
According to The Telegraph, Jharkhand has recorded its highest ever single day fatalities (59) and 3,843 fresh positive cases in the past 24 hours. The total active cases in the state stand at 23,045 and going by the speed of infections, the state government is anticipating a further spike of at least 12,000 by the end of this month.
The order may be read here:
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