Shimla, Dec 19,
The Himachal Pradesh High Court has partially lifted the ban on OPD services at the Atal Super Specialty Medical Institute(AIMSS), Chamiyana. This order has been passed by a division bench of Acting Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Satyen Vaidya.
Reportedly the court approved the reopening of five OPDs: Neurology, Andrology, Nephrology, Urology, and Plastic Surgery, while rejecting the state government’s request to resume OPDs in eight departments.
Though a detailed order in the matter is awaited but as per a media report the court directed the transfer of 35 staff nurses from IGMC to Chamiyana and ordered the Medical Superintendent to ensure proper sanitation. To improve patient access, the court instructed the Principal Secretary of Health to expedite the tendering process for private shuttle buses, aiming to transport approximately 600 patients daily.
The government has been instructed to address infrastructure concerns, including Road Improvement wherein NHAI will commence tarring of a 100-meter road stretch. For Parking purpose a construction of two multi-story parking lots 300 meters from the hospital is planned.
Electricity authorities will install streetlights and signboards along the Bhattakufar-Chamiyana route and repair a 200-meter road section.
The court also issued notices to Panchayat Chamiyana and HPSCBEL to resolve issues related to hospital construction and parking fees.
Meanwhile since the IGMC management has not yet received the written court order, OPD services for the super specialty departments will continue at IGMC today. Dr. Brij Sharma, Principal of Atal Super Specialty Medical Institute Chamiyana, stated that arrangements will be made immediately upon receiving the order.
“We are of the considered view that the question of utility and functioning of the hospital at Chamiana, District Shimla, H.P. cannot be left to the wisdom and discretion of a single individual or a group of individuals and all the stakeholders are required to be associated in deciding as to how best the hospital at Chamiana can be utilized,” had noted the division bench of Acting Chief Justice Chauhan and Justice Vaidya in a earlier hearing.
It is important to note that in September of this year, the High Court had issued an order to suspend OPD services at the Super Specialty Hospital in Chamiyana. The decision followed concerns raised about the lack of essential infrastructure and facilities at the hospital. At that time, a division bench led by Chief Justice MS Ramachandra Rao and Justice Satyen Vaidya had highlighted the serious inadequacies in the hospital’s infrastructure. The court’s decision had came after reviewing a status report filed by the State Health Department and the Public Works Department.
Also read:https://himachalscape.com/hc-halts-atal-super-specialty-hospital-operation-in-chamiyana-shimla/
Stay tuned for further updates.
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