Bombay High Court Demands Action on Vacant Hospital Posts in Vidarbha
The Bombay High Court has ordered the Maharashtra government to address the issue of numerous unfilled Class IV positions in Vidarbha's medical facilities within a week.
The court highlighted the urgent need for support staff as patient numbers increase.
Nagpur GMCH has 194 vacant Class IV posts, with significant vacancies across other hospitals.
The outpatient department visits at Nagpur Medical are projected to rise significantly by 2025.
In a significant ruling, the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Tuesday instructed the Maharashtra government to provide clarity on the status of hundreds of vacant Class IV positions in government medical colleges and hospitals throughout Vidarbha. This directive comes amid rising patient numbers, which have intensified the demand for adequate support services in these facilities.
The court's intervention was prompted by a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) after it was reported that the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Nagpur had essential equipment like stretchers and wheelchairs but lacked sufficient attendants to operate them. Isha Thakare served as amicus curiae during the proceedings, while the state was represented by additional government pleader Deepak Thakare.
A division bench consisting of Justices Anil Kilor and Rajnish Vyas had previously requested detailed, district-wise statistics regarding patient numbers and the availability of support staff in government hospitals across the 11 districts of Vidarbha. Dr. Raj Gajbhiye, the joint director of the Directorate of Medical Education and Research, submitted an affidavit outlining the current vacancies, revealing that Nagpur GMCH alone has 194 unfilled Class IV posts. Other hospitals reported similar shortages, with 51 vacancies at Indira Gandhi GMCH (Mayo), 198 at Yavatmal, and 122 at Akola.
The affidavit also indicated a notable increase in outpatient department (OPD) visits at Nagpur Medical, which is expected to rise from 5.57 lakh in 2023 to over 6.26 lakh by 2025. Mayo GMCH has also seen a significant uptick in patient numbers, raising alarms about the hospitals' capacity to manage patient movement and provide essential assistance despite having basic medical equipment available.
The court has mandated that the Maharashtra government clarify its position regarding the recruitment of support staff to fill these vacancies within a week, emphasizing the need for immediate action to ensure that hospitals can adequately serve the growing patient population in the region.
