The Allahabad High Court has issued directives to Uttar Pradesh government to improve medical facilities in state run hospitals. The directive is based on a writ petition titled as Sneh Lata Singh & Others versus State of UP & Others.

As per the directive, immediate steps shall be taken to fill in existing vacancies of medical, para medical and other attending staff at various levels in all hospitals maintained by state government through department of medical health and family welfare or medical education. State government should ensure appointment of competent staff by reducing existing vacancies to 50% within first four months from the date of communication of this Judgment and remaining vacancies in the next three months.

Necessary supply of medicines of quality to all medical care centre at different levels must be ensured. Similarly, availability of requisite apparatuses, instruments, operation theatres and other medical requirements as per status of medical care centres be maintained and continuous maintenance should be ensured under constant monitoring by responsible persons and they should be made accountable for any laxity or deficiency in such supply and availability.

For medical care of women and especially pre-natal and post natal treatment, lady doctors and supporting lady para medical and nursing staff be recruited and their availability be maintained.

A road-map or action plan should be prepared in consultation with all stakeholders responsible for maintaining medical services by the State so that quality medical treatment is available to poor people in the same manner as it is available to resourceful high officials and rich people, and people may not suffer in the matter of medical care merely on account of their poverty, illiteracy and other constraints.

Looking to the fact that in sample survey got conducted by this Court through Advocate Commissioners, demonstrating a large number of apparent mismanagement in hospitals whether maintained by state medical college at Allahabad or by cadre of provincial medical services, Special audit through CAG should be got conducted without any further delay.

In this regard, the court has directed requisite number of specialized audit team having expertise in audit of medical care centres be constituted with request to CAG, within one month from communication of this judgment. At first instance, medical colleges and hospitals attached to them should be got audited. This audit must be completed within two months. This Special audit must examine funds made available, their utilization etc. in the last 10 years. If deficiencies, irregularities and illegalities are found, concerned department shall also identify erring officials and would take appropriate stern action whether civil, criminal or departmental, as the case may be, without any further delay.

After special audit of Medical Colleges and Hospitals attached to them, next audit should be that of district level hospitals, for which also, complete exercise would be done within two months and it shall be adhered to. In third phase such special audits will take care of next lower level medical care centres i.e. CHCs and PHCs.

Entire audit exercise of all levels shall be completed within a year.