Order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court regarding deteriorating medical infrastructure in Punjab, 13/05/2025
Order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in the matter of Bhisham Kinger Vs State of Punjab & Others dated 13/05/2025.
The matter is related to deteriorating medical infrastructure in Punjab, especially Malerkotla district. An affidavit filed before the court showed that certain vacancies of doctors at Malerkotla have been filled up. However, it was not clear whether these doctors had been freshly recruited or transferred from other locations to fill the vacancies at Malerkotla, the court observed.
Counsel for state of Punjab stated that fresh recruitment against 1000 vacancies of Medical Officer (General) has been commenced vide advertisement, April 25, 2025.
The petitioner, Bhisham Kinger informed the court that there are no specialist doctors in the fields of gynecology, ophthalmology, blood transfusion, radiology and dermatology. Things do not appear to be improving in District Malerkotla so far as the medical infrastructure is concerned," the High Court noted.
The state counsel was directed to file an affidavit of the Principal Secretary, Department of Health, in this regard, specially addressing the deficiencies pointed out by the petitioner, particularly at District Malerkotla. The progress of the recruitment process shall also be reflected in the affidavit, the order added. State counsel has also drawn the attention of the court to the public notice inviting tender for the establishment of a radio diagnostic centre, containing 1 MRI and 1 CT Scan machine. The progress of the tender process should also be revealed in the affidavit of the Principal Secretary, Department of Health, the order said.