The Telangana High Court on 13.07.2020 questioned the state government for not doing massive testing for Covid-19. Following a report in Times of India, it summoned public health director, Dr G Srinivasa Rao, to appear before the Court to explain the same.
Submission of the Petitioner
Vasudha Nagaraj, the counsel for the petitioner, presented her submissions. The government had agreed to rope in all the 34 teaching hospitals to treat patients. Several government hospitals have also been earmarked as Covid-19 hospitals. But people are still going to Gandhi Hospital only. The Gandhi authorities are not admitting all patients. They are only allowing those who come with a Covid-19 positive test certificate.
Prayer of the Petitioner
The petitioner, Dr R Srivatsan, prayed to the Court with a direction to the government. The prayer was to enlist teaching hospitals attached to state-run on COVID duty. He also prayed to enlist the teaching hospitals attached to private medical colleges.
Observation of the Court
The Chief Justice Raghvendra Singh Chauhan heard the PIL. The bench also consisted Justice B Vjaysen Reddy.
The bench wondered how the government expected such activities from the Covid patients. It is not easy for them to rush from faraway places to Gandhi Hospital in an emergency. Thus, medical facilities were not available to them close to the places where they reside.
There is no point in designating government hospitals in districts as Covid-19 hospitals. The
Government also did not make them functional. A poor family from Adilabad cannot shift their loved ones in distress to Gandhi hospital. Therefore, state has to keep medical facilities available nearer to the patients.
Reference of the Interview of Former Health Secretary
The bench referred to Monday’s interview of Sujatha Rao. She was the former health secretary in Times of India. She spoke of fewer tests in Telangana. The CJ also wanted to know why the government was not able to do more.
Reference of the Case of Dr. Sultana
The Court dealt with another petition filed by Venudhar Reddy. It was questioning on the private hospitals charging exorbitantly. Even doctors are not spared from this fleecing. They referred to the case of Dr Sultana. In this case, a private hospital charged exorbitant fees from Dr. Sultana. The Court said that Private hospitals should rise to the occasion and extend a helping hand.
Decision of the Court
The Court summoned public health director Dr G Srinivasa Rao. He would appear before the Court for explanation on Covid-19 duty.
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