The High Court on Tuesday asked the government to report within four weeks about the facilities available for women and children at SKIMS Bemina hospital here.
After treating a representation of an NGO as Public InterestLitigation (PIL), a division bench of Chief Justice Gita Mittal and JusticeRashid Ali Dar asked the government to respond to the petition.
The court impleaded J&K state through its SecretaryHealth and Medical Education and SKIMS Bemina hospital through itssuperintendent as respondents and issued notices to them. States additionalAdvocate General Shah Aamir accepted notice on behalf of the government.
The court directed the authorities to place on record withinfour weeks the facilities available for women and children including pregnantwomen in the hospital, listing the case on 5 July. The directions came after the court treatedas PIL a representation it had received from Malik Sajad- president of NGO forInitiation for Peace and Development.
The representation had sought court’s intervention toinsufficient facilities for women and children at SKIMS Bemina hospital.
In the representation it was highlighted that huge rush ofpatients is seen in the corridors of the SKIMS Bemina hospital and two to threepregnant patients are seen lying on a single bed. “The OPDs are so crowded inall the departments particularly in gynecology and pediatric department thatthere is a risk of stampede and weaker patients are vulnerable to injury,”