IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE T.R.RAMACHANDRAN NAIR WEDNESDAY, THE 9TH JUNE 2010 / 19TH JYAISTHA 1932 WP(C).No. 16963 of 2010(U) -------------------------- PETITIONER(S): --------------- GERO VERGHESE, ROSE HOUSE NELSON MANDELA ROAD, MULANTHURUTHY,ERNAKULAM. BY ADV. SRI.M.R.SARIN RESPONDENT(S): --------------- 1. STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (M) DEPARTMENT SECRETARIAT, TRIVANDRUM. 2. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR COLLECTORATE, ERNAKULAM. 3. THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH SERVICE THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 4. DISTRICT MEDICAL OFFICER GENERAL HOSPITAL, ERNAKULAM. 5. MULATHURUTHY BLOCK PANCHAYATH REPRESENTED BY ITS BLOCK DEVELOPMENT OFFICER BLOCK PANCHAYATH OFFICE, PERUMPALLY ,MULANTHURUTHY. 6. MEDICAL OFFICER IN CHARGE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE, MULANTHURUTHY, ERNAKULAM. 7. CHIEF CO-ORDINATOR N.R.H.M, ERNAKULAM DISTRICT. 8. PRESIDENT THE BLOCK PANCHAYATH OFFICE, PERUMPALLY, MULANTHURUTHY. R1 TO R4, R6 & R7 BY G.P. SMT. K.R. DEEPA THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 09/06/2010, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: T.R. Ramachandran Nair, J. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - W.P.(C) No. 16963 of 2010-U - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dated this the 9th day of June, 2010. JUDGMENT The petitioner herein is a resident of Mulanthuruthy Block Panchayat. He is aggrieved by the insufficiency in the functioning of the Community Health Centre, Government Hospital, Mulanthuruthy. It is submitted that the Community Health Centre, Mulanthuruthy is catering to the needs of the people of Mulanthuruthy and nearby Grama Panchayats. It is pointed out that the hospital was established long back and by course of time it was converted into a Community Health Centre. Mainly, it is contended that there is no ambulance service available in the hospital, there is no service of doctors from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m., there is no ultra sound facility in the hospital as well as the X-ray facilities. Several other deficiencies also have been pointed out. It is further pointed out that lack of sufficient doctors in various disciplines, like General Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Paediatricians and Anesthesiology, is also affecting the functioning of the hospital. The petitioner further pointed out that there is no Health Supervisor, Lady Health Supervisors, Junior Public Health Nurse, Pharmacist, Lab Technician, Radiographer, Ophthalmic Assistant, Security, wpc 16963/2010 2 etc. in the hospital. 2. The pleadings show that the Government has issued various orders while enhancing the status of the hospital as a Community Health Centre. But still, it is pointed out that due to lack of proper action on the part of the respondents, people are put to great difficulties. 3. Learned Govt. Pleader on instructions from the District Medical Officer, Ernakulam submitted that the sanctioned staff strength is 17 and there are some vacancies now. Apart from that, the National Rural Health Mission has appointed additional staff including doctors, Pharmacist and Staff Nurse. The District Medical Officer has submitted a proposal to the Director of Health Services requesting to increase the staff strength of the Health Centre by providing some more Medical Officers, Staff Nurses and other staff. The allegation that the service of the doctors are not available from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. is denied. It is also pointed out hat the Hospital Management Committee, in its meeting held on 4.6.2010, decided that consultation time of doctors is to be extended from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. with effect from 16.6.2010. It is assured that X-ray and E.C.G. machines are properly functioning without any interruption. Even though there is no sanctioned post of X-ray Technician, a temporary appointment has been made to handle the same and he is being paid salary from the Block wpc 16963/2010 3 Panchayat funds. With regard to the deficiencies pointed out by the petitioner, i.e. absence of mortuary, labour room, etc., it is pointed out that these have been rectified. Finally, it is assured that the District Medical Officer has taken steps to have the ambulance in a proper working condition. 4. In the above view of the matter, as the respondents are taking effective steps in the matter, it is not necessary for this Court at this stage, to issue any specific directions in the matter. But it is only proper in the fitness of things, to see that timely action is taken by respondents 1 to 4 for the proper functioning of the Community Health Centre, to the satisfaction of the people. The writ petition is disposed of with the above observations. No costs. (T.R. Ramachandran Nair, Judge.) kav/