Provide docs to civic body: HC to state

Mumbai: Stating that providing health officers in civic- run hospitals and arranging funds to pay them is the responsibility of the state, the Bombay high court has directed the state to reply whether it was willing to make provision for doctors in Malegaon municipal corporation run hospital after the petitioner complained that there was only one doctor in the hospital.

After the municipal corporation submitted that they did not have funds to pay the doctors the court passed the directions.

“The corporation is strapped for cash and cannot afford to pay the salaries being paid at state run hospitals.

 This is a deterrent for doctors to join the hospital and hence we are unable to fill up vacant posts,” advocate S. S. Patwardhan said on behalf of the corporation.

After hearing the submissions, the bench asked the state to file a reply as to whether it was not under an obligation to provide health services to all citizens. The bench sought to know from the state if they were willing to provide funds as it involved rights of residents of Malegaon.