S K GARG Vs. STATE OF U P

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This petition relates to the appalling conditions prevailing in the Government Hospitals in district Allahabad. The petitioner is an Advocate practising in this Court and this petition has been filed as a Public Interest Litigation. He has referred to the conditions prevailing in Swaroop Rani Hospital, Allahabad. Dufferin Hospital, Allahabad, Colvin Hospital; T.B. Hospital (Beli Hospital) etc. which he claims to have visited.

(2.) In paragraph 7 and 8 of the petition it has been alleged that needy and poor patients have been refused necessary medicines and proper medical treatment. In paragraph 9 of the petition it is alleged that the operation theatres are in unhygienic conditions. In paragraph 12 of the petition it is alleged that pitiable conditions are prevailing in these hospitals particularly for T.B. patients, maternity cases, and patients with other diseases. In paragraph 13 of the petition it is alleged that the Swaroop Rani Hospital which is affiliated to the Moti Lai Nehru Medical College is in worse condition than other Government Hospitals. In paragraph 14 it is alleged that in Swaroop Rani Hospital there is shortage of day today medicines and blood in the blood bank, and there is an unsatisfactory x-ray department because of which emergency cases cannot be properly attended to. It is alleged that there is a lot of garbage and filth in these hospitals. In paragraph 16 of the petition it is alleged that the toilets are dirty and in the wards there is an unhealthy and unhygienic atmosphere. In paragraph 17 it is alleged that the road conditions near the Hospitals and inside them are very bad and there is storage of dirty water with mosquitoes, etc. it is also alleged that electric supply is not properly maintained for these hospitals.

(3.) The petitioner has referred to Article 47 of the Constitution which provides that it is a duty of the State of raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living of the people and to improve public health.