Srinagar, June 1: The High Court Friday directed the state government to take immediate remedial measures to mend the affairs at GB Pant hospital till the sanctioned staff is appointed there for which the court gave two months time.
A division bench Comprising justices Mansoor Ahmad Mir and Hasnain Massodi passed the direction after perusing the status report filed by the government regarding the current staff position and infrastructure of the hospital.
The Court observed that there is deficient staff in the hospital and government shall have to take prompt measures.
The state government Friday submitted before the High Court the report that was sought earlier by the court regarding the manpower and infrastructure in the hospital.
The court had earlier passed directions in a PIL filed by Dr Rouf Mohi-ud-Din Malik and Tanveer Khan seeking directions for an inquiry into the recent infant deaths and other issues relating to healthcare in GB Pant hospital.
The government report presented in the court today disclosed that 480 deaths have taken place in G B Pant hospital since January 2012 till 10 am on May 30. In the report, the government said two posts of Associate Professors, one position of Assistant Professor, four positions each of Registrars and Lecturers were lying vacant in the hospital.
Besides, a post each of Pediatric Ophthalmologist, Hematologist, Nephrologist, Radiologist, Laboratory Technicians and Microbiologist were also vacant. Another two posts of Laboratory Assistants were also not filled by the government in the institute.
The hospital was also deficient in two positions of Nursing Supervisors, seven senior grade nurses, 17 junior grade nurses and five ANMs.
The government report disclosed that 480 deaths have taken place in G B Pant since January 2012 till 10 am on May 30.
Giving month-wise breakup, the government report states 87 infants died in the hospital in January, 98 in February, 101 in March, 87 in April and as many 110 died up to May 30. The report indicated that six ventilators were available in the hospital and these are working round the clock.
The court asked the Medical Superintendent of the Hospital, Dr Muneer Masoodi to file an affidavit in the court indicating the suggestions to improve the healthcare in the hospital.
The court also directed the medical superintendent to file report about the roaster details of the doctors from Jan 1, 2012 till today and of those doctors who were on call during this period.
“Provide also the details about the doctors on call, who did not respond when they were called,” the court said.
“He (MS) shall also give suggestions about arresting the infant deaths in the hospital in keeping the appropriate measures to be taken promptly,” the court said.
The court asked him to suggest the number of beds needed in the hospital and the requirement of the infrastructure that will make the deficiency good.
“He will also give suggestions as an expert how the infant deaths took place in the hospital and what is required to be done to find out the solution to the problem,” the court said.
The court asked him to inform it how many ambulances are in use in the hospital and if any mortuary meeting has been held since Jan 2011 to know the reasons of the deaths caused.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 1 Jun 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 1 Jun 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 2 Jun 2012 00:00:00 IST