Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 27: Believe it or not that Principal Government Medical College has stated in the Court that funds provided to the GMC & Hospital, Jammu and its associated hospitals are not even half of the funds allocated to hospitals in Kashmir.
This was stated by the Principal GMC, who was called by the Court in a Public Interest Litigation seeking establishment of the Eye-Bank.
According to the Principal, Government Medical College Jammu and the Administrator, who were present in the Court, there was huge inflow of patients, locals from Jammu and transit travellers, who are coming to Jammu for Amarnath Yatra. Due to this, the hospital is over crowded and patients do not get proper treatment. The quality of medical care has gone down due to lack of funds. Sanitation is suffering. The quantum of funds provided to the Hospital, Jammu and its associated hospitals is not even half of the funds allocated to hospitals in Kashmir. The shortage of funds is badly affecting the quality of medical care given to patients who come to hospital in Jammu.
A Division Bench of State High Court comprising First Puisine Judge Justice Ramalingam Sudhakar and Justice BS Walia taking note, directed Secretary Health and Medical Education Department, Government of Jammu and Kashmir and Secretary, Finance Department to release the funds for hospital related management within a period of two weeks.
DB further directed AAG Ajay Sharma to get instructions in this regard and report compliance of this order in the week commencing August 8, 2016. In the meanwhile, Health Secretary will inform this Court on the status of purchase of equipments for establishing the Eye Bank in Jammu Region.
DB recorded the statement made by the Principal and Administrator of GMC Jammu who stated that civil construction for the Eye Bank has been completed upto the ground floor and in respect of the first floor, 75% is completed and if the equipments are supplied, they will be able to establish the Eye Bank at the earliest. The endeavour on the part of the Principal and Administrator is appreciated and recorded.
Division Bench observed that the supporting departments engaged in the construction and installation of equipment are directed to take adequate measures for implementation of the project to establish the Eye Bank as soon as the funds are released.
Division Bench further observed that keeping in view of the above, the Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department, Government of Jammu and Kashmir and the Secretary to Finance Department are required to release funds for establishment of the Eye Bank and the regular funds without delay.
While taking serious view, Division Bench observed that in so far as, the release of funds to hospitals in Jammu is concerned, authorities will have to ensure that there is no discrimination between the two regions. These directions be strictly complied by the authority concerned and report submitted to this Court, observed the Bench.
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