Ensure availability of lifesaving drugs at6 all health centres within 2 weeks, HC directs State Govt

GOVT TO ALSO SUBMIT DETAILS ON LIFESAVING DRUGS IN 6 WEEKS
GANGTOK, 26 Aug: Apart from having issued notices to the state and union government respondents on the charges of inefficient and deficient health care services in the state and in the implementation of the National Rural Health Mission among other schemes the High Court of Sikkim has also issued an interim direction.
The Division Bench of the high court comprising Chief Justice P Kohli and Justice SP Wangdi has directed that “…the state shall ensure availability of life saving drugs in all hospitals/ health centres within a period of 2 weeks, if not already available.”  This direction is on the charge made in the Public Interest Litigation that live saving drugs including blood units and oxygen are often unavailable at the health centres which is required as under the guidelines of the NRHM.
On the other hand the division bench of the high court has also found, from the averments made in the petition, that various government sponsored schemes, namely the NRHM, Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) and other schemes have not been implemented in the right spirit. The court also took note of the charge of the non-availability of life saving drugs at most of the government hospitals and health centres both at the district and sub divisional level. On this matter the court has directed the state respondents to furnish details of the facilities available at the district and sub divisional hospitals, the primary health centres including dispensaries with details of the number of such centres.
Furthermore the High Court has directed that the state furnish details on the availability of life saving drugs with their name / brand and quantity along with expiry dates and for which the respondents have been allowed a time period of 6 weeks.
Receiving notice on behalf of the state respondents was Additional Advocate General, JB Pradhan; for the Ministry of Health was present Advocate, Central Government, Karma Thinlay and appearing for the petitioner, Rinzing Chewang Kazi was Advocate, Dr. Doma Bhutia.