The Bombay High Court on Friday, October 6, pulled up the Maharashtra government over deaths at Dr Shankarrao Chavan Medical College and Hospital in
Nanded. The court said that it is the responsibility of the state government to provide basic health and treatment facilities to the people. The state government cannot run away from its responsibility.
Advocate General Birendra Saraf, appearing for the state government, said most of the the patients were brought to the government hospital at the last stage. "There is a lot of pressure and a lack of staff in the government hospitals and no one can be blamed for those deaths," he said.
The high court also raised questions about the unavailability of the CEO of Medicine Procurement Board. The court said that there must be a full-time and independent CEO of the medicine procurement board.
Thirty-seven patients died from September 30 to October 3. As many as 221 new patients were admitted to the hospital from October 2 to 3, as per an official release. Currently, 823 patients are being treated at the hospital, it said.
First Published: Oct 6, 2023 12:02 PM IST