Medical Infra Doesn't Appear To Be Improving: High Court Seeks Punjab Govt's Reply On Alleged Deficiencies In Malerkotla's Govt Hospital

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has taken serious note of the allegedly deteriorating medical infrastructure in Punjab, especially Malerkotla district.

Amidst allegation of inadequate facilities, staff shortages, and lack of specialist doctors in the Government maintained hospitals in Malerkotla, the court has sought a detailed affidavit from the state's Health Department Principal Secretary. 

Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumeet Goel said, "Things do not appear to be improving in District Malerkotla so far as the medical infrastructure is concerned. The State counsel is directed to file an affidavit of the Principal Secretary, Department of Health, in this regard, specially addressing the deficiencies pointed out by the learned counsel for the petitioner, particularly at District Malerkotla. The progress of the recruitment process shall also be reflected in the affidavit."

The Court was hearing a PIL filed by Bhisham Kinger highlighting the acute shortage of medical officers and deficiency in services in Government Hospital of Punjab's Malerkotla.

Perusing the Punjab's Government affidavit, the Court said, "It appears that certain vacancies of doctors at Malerkotla have been filled up. However, it is not clear whether these doctors have been freshly recruited or transferred from other locations to fill the vacancies at Malerkotla."

The bench noted the Punjab Government's submissions that that fresh recruitment against 1,000 vacancies of Medical Officer (General) has been commenced vide advertisement dated 25 April 2025.

The petitioner, who was appearing in person, informed that "there are no specialist doctors in the fields of Gynecology, Ophthalmology, Blood Transfusion, Radiology and Dermatology."

State counsel then drew the Court's attention to the public notice inviting tender for the establishment of a Radio Diagnostic Centre, containing 1 MRI and 1 CT Scan machine.

Stating that "the progress of the tender process shall also be revealed in the affidavit of the Principal Secretary, Department of Health," the Court adjourned the matter to July 17.

Mr. Bhisham Kinger-petitioner in person.

Mr. Saurav Verma, Addl. A.G., Punjab.

Title: BHISHAM KINGER V/S STATE OF PUNJAB AND OTHERS

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