The Bombay High Court has asked the state government that presently, how many primary health centres are functional in the State of Maharashtra, and whether required staff is available there or not.
The Division Bench of Justice Prashant B. Varale and Justice N.R. Borkar heard a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed seeking construction of Government Hospital for providing health care facilities in Village : Zirapwadi, Taluka : Phaltan.
The Court have perused the Affidavit-in-reply filed on behalf of the State through Dr. Subhash Chavan, Civil Surgeon, Civil Hospital, Satara.
It is stated in the Affidavit-in-reply that in the year 1987, some of the farmers of Village : Zirapwadi had gifted the land to the Government for the purpose of construction of Government Hospital for providing health care facilities. Hence, in the year 1987, construction of 30 bedded rural hospital alongwith the staff quarter was started in the Zirapwadi and the new building of rural hospital was ready in May 1997, which started on 28th November 1997 and continued working till 19th February 2004. After that till 19th February 2006 only OPD services were on at the Zirapwadi place.
It is further stated in the Affidavit-in-reply that meantime in 1999 under the Maharashtra State Health Systems Development Project, Rural Hospital Phaltan was upgraded into 50 beds Sub District Hospital. For the same upgraded hospital, Panchayat Samitee Phaltan (Satara) has given land in the town in central place for construction of 50 beds hospital building. The construction of the upgraded building was started in 2001 and completed in 2004, after which the functioning of hospital started.
Then, it is stated that now 50 bedded Sub-District Hospital in Phaltan is running smoothly without any complaint from the local public.
It is further stated in the Affidavit-in-reply that approximately 8 acres of land at Zirapwadi was actually donated by the villager of Zirapwadi, for the purpose of the construction of the Government Hospital for the poor people. However, now the said donated land is under litigation and the suit has been filed before the Civil Judge, Senior Division, Satara . It is further stated in the Affidavit-in-reply that the distance of Zirapwadi to Phaltan is only 6 kilometers.
It is further stated in the affidavit that in the Phaltan block, there are six primary health centres which are currently working, namely Barad, Rajale, Sakharwadi, Taradgaon, Bibi and Girvi. Then it is stated that Girvi Primary Health Centre is just 9 kilometers away from Zirapwadi. Considering this situation it is not appropriate as per the norms to construct one more rural hospital at such a short distance.
The Court observed that the Affidavit-in-reply is, however, silent on the following aspects :
(i) If there was already 30 bedded rural hospital with staff quarter at Zirapwadi and if it was functioning from the year 1997 to 2004, then why it was closed.
(ii) Why OPD facility which was made available from 19th February 2004 to 19th February 2006 was discontinued.
(iii) What is the criteria for establishing a primary health centre.
The Bench noted that though a copy of Government Resolution dated 6th November 2004 is placed on record , the same only refers to filling of the vacancies in rural hospitals and cottage hospitals as per the staffing pattern. Similarly, a copy of the another Government Resolution dated 1st January 1996 is placed on record and this relates to grant of permission to make the rural hospital and primary health centers functional. The Government Resolution dated 1st January 1996 refers to sanctioning the number of rural hospitals and primary health centres on the basis of census of 1991.
Therefore the Bench observed that after the year 1991 census, there must have been carried out, as such it would be necessary to know the latest policy of the State Government for establishing the primary health centres, rural hospitals etc.
The Court further like to know, whether the State has decided not to provide even a primary health centre at Zirapwadi on the ground that the rural hospital is established at Phaltan and primary health centre is available at Girvi which is 9 kilometers away from Zirapwadi.
“Presently, how many primary health centres are functional in the State of Maharashtra, and whether required staff is available there or not “, asked the Court.
The Court directed that the additional Affidavit-in-reply shall be filed by the responsible officer not below the rank of Deputy Secretary to the State of Maharashtra and posted the matter November 15 for further hearing.