Shimla, Dec 7,
The Himachal Pradesh High Court recently issued a scathing order regarding the long-delayed establishment of a Level-1 Trauma Centre at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) in Shimla. Filed as a public interest litigation (PIL) over a decade ago, the case highlighted the critical need for advanced trauma care in the region, yet progress has been plagued by delays, inadequate planning, and administrative lapses.
The PIL initially sought to improve road safety and medical infrastructure, with a specific focus on the proposed trauma center at IGMC. Designed to handle complex injuries, this facility has faced numerous hurdles since its proposal under the 12th Five-Year Plan in 2015. Reports consistently revealed bureaucratic bottlenecks, insufficient staffing, incomplete construction, and non-functional equipment.
Despite the inauguration of an additional trauma block and new OPD block by the Chief Minister in March 2023, the Trauma Centre remains non-operational.
While construction has progressed, critical issues persist:
* Severe Staff Shortages: Only 44 of the required 179 positions for surgeons, anesthetists, and paramedical staff have been filled.
* Incomplete Equipment: Essential medical equipment, including ICU monitors and MRI machines, remains uninstalled.
* Ongoing Delays: Pending land acquisition, lack of fire safety clearances, and municipal corporation approvals continue to hinder progress.
Frustrated by the government’s “lackadaisical approach,” the court criticized the repeated delays and lack of progress. The Acting Chief Justice expressed concern over the state of healthcare infrastructure, emphasizing the need for immediate action to address the critical public safety and healthcare access issues arising from the dysfunctional trauma care system.
To expedite the process, the court issued several directives:
* Urgent Staff Recruitment: The Principal Secretary (Health) was ordered to fill vacant nursing and paramedical staff positions by January 31, 2025, and remaining staff by March 31, 2025.
* Immediate Infrastructure Completion: All outstanding approvals, including fire safety and municipal clearances, must be secured promptly.
* Swift Equipment Procurement: Critical medical equipment like MRI and PET scan machines must be procured and installed without further delay.
* Enhanced Accountability: The Chief Secretary was instructed to convene regular meetings of all stakeholders and submit a status report by January 2, 2025.
While the trauma center at IGMC Shimla promises to provide vital care to accident victims in the region, its prolonged journey highlights the challenges of effective governance and the serious consequences of bureaucratic inertia.
It is hoped that the court’s firm stance will finally compel the government to take decisive action, ensuring the timely completion and operationalization of this critical healthcare facility.
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