Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 26: Division Bench of State High Court comprising Chief Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar and Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur today directed State Government, Principal GMC Jammu and Director Health Services, Jammu to take all necessary steps for providing immediate facilities to the swine flu affected patients.
The direction was passed in a supplementary affidavit filed by Smile Social Youth Club through its President Matloob Saleem Qureshi stating that there is no laboratory in GMC Hospital for conducting swine flu test. It was further submitted that there was no sufficient stock of prescribed medicines for treating swine flu patients in the State.
When the PIL came-up for hearing, Advocate Navneet Dubey, counsel for the petitioner, submitted, “despite alarming situation due to swine flu, there is no diagnostic centre in Jammu city and samples are sent for testing to the laboratories at Delhi the reports of which are received after four days”, adding “the State Government and its functionaries in the Health Department may be issued directions to take immediate steps for providing facilities to treat swine flue patients”.
Senior AAG Gagan Basotra appearing for the State submitted, “efforts are on for creating separate laboratory to tackle with the situation arisen due to swine flu virus at Government Medical College Jammu in a short span of time and a sum of Rs 628 lakh is required in this regard”.
Director Health Services and the Principal Government Medical College Jammu, who were present in person, submitted that safety masks would be provided to the staff of the hospital by tomorrow.
Keeping in view seriousness of the matter, DB directed State Government as well as Director Health Services and the Principal Government Medical College Jammu to take necessary steps for providing immediate care to the swine flu affected persons. They were also directed to file a progress report regarding establishment of laboratory and treatment to the patients before March 2.
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