IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE MR.S.R.BANNURMATH & THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE A.K.BASHEER WEDNESDAY, THE 26TH AUGUST 2009 / 4TH BHADRA 1931 WP(C).No. 22508 of 2009(S) ------------------------------------- PETITIONER: ------------------- ABDUL RAHIMAN E.K. AGED 39 YEARS S/O. KHADER HAJI, E.K. HOUSE, KANNAMANGALAM.P.O. VENGARA, MALAPPURAM DIST.-671318. BY ADV. SMT.P.K.PRIYA SRI.K.V.SREE VINAYAKAN RESPONDENTS: ------------------------ 1. STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SECRETAIRIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. THE SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 3. THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH SERVICES, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. BY SR.GOVERNMENT PLEADER SMT.K.MEERA THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 26/08/2009, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: S.R.Bannurmath, C.J. & A.K. Basheer, J. ------------------------------------------ W.P.(C) No.22508 of 2009 ------------------------------------------ Dated this the 26th day of August, 2009 JUDGMENT S.R.Bannurmath, C.J. This public interest litigation is filed seeking a direction to the Government to ensure adequate medical treatment in all government hospitals, especially in the light of the threat of ailments and deaths in the form of Viral infections, Flu, Fever and the latest H1N1 (Swine Flu) epidemics. It is contended that in the absence of appropriate and adequate medical arrangements and availability of staff including the doctors, there will be a health hazard problem in the State. 2. On the direction of this Court the learned Government Pleader has filed a report of the Director of Health Services narrating in detail the steps taken by the Government and especially the Health Department in all the government hospitals and assuring the Court that all effective measures are WP(C) No.22508 of 2009 - 2 - being taken including providing doctors, medicine, etc. It is also stated that in few affected areas, separate fever wards are opened. Fever clinics are also being conducted in the affected areas. Especially in the districts of Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod, temporary clinics are functioning in addition of providing mobile fever clinics in selected affected areas. It is also stated that Epidemic Control Cell is opened in district level and State level for daily monitoring of the situation and assure that all necessary adequate steps are being taken to ensure the availability of doctors, staff and medicine to all the needy persons. 3. In view of the statement made by a responsible official, who is the best person to take action if necessary, namely the Director of Health Services, we do not find it necessary to pursue the matter any further. However, we direct the Director of Health Services to ensure that the steps narrated in the report are followed meticulously and without giving any chance for complaints. WP(C) No.22508 of 2009 - 3 - With this observation the writ petition stands disposed of. S.R.Bannurmath, Chief Justice A.K. Basheer, Judge vns