High Court Criticises Uttar Pradesh Government for Neglecting Medical Care Outside Lucknow

The Allahabad High Court recently addressed a public interest litigation concerning medical facilities in Uttar Pradesh. The court noted that while the state government has enhanced medical infrastructure in Lucknow, other cities are being overlooked. Residents of these areas often travel to Lucknow or Delhi for treatment, which is unfair given that taxpayer money should benefit the entire state.

Focus on Medical Infrastructure

Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal urged the government to address the declining medical facilities across the state. He stressed the need for immediate improvements before conditions worsen. The principal secretary of medical education and health was instructed to appear before the court on July 1 to discuss efforts to improve the state's 42 medical colleges and their associated hospitals.

The court also directed the principal secretary to visit all medical colleges by the next hearing date. This visit aims to gather firsthand information about hospital requirements. Furthermore, Prayagraj's district magistrate, police commissioner, municipal commissioner, and other officials were asked to be present in court on July 1.

Budgetary Allocations and Upgrades

The principal secretary must submit an affidavit detailing budget allocations for all state medical colleges. This includes institutions like Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, King George's Medical College, and Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences in Lucknow. Additionally, a proposal to expand Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital in Prayagraj from 1,250 beds to at least 3,000 beds was suggested, considering the upcoming Kumbh Mela in 2031.

During this year's Mahakumbh, Prayagraj saw an influx of 66.3 crore visitors. The court highlighted that despite being a significant religious destination with a large local population, Prayagraj lacks adequate medical facilities compared to Lucknow and Gorakhpur. The principal secretary was tasked with informing the government about this disparity.

Primary Health Centres and Future Plans

The court also expressed concern over the condition of primary health centres across Uttar Pradesh. These centres are nearly non-functional, placing undue pressure on hospitals linked to medical colleges. The principal secretary was asked to present this issue to the state government for consideration.

Moreover, there is a suggestion to establish an institute similar to SGPGI in the Prayagraj region. This would serve neighbouring districts as patients from local medical colleges are often referred to SGPGI in Lucknow or even Delhi due to inadequate facilities.

The court was informed that despite having doctors, many medical colleges lack proper infrastructure and medicines, hindering patient treatment. Addressing these issues is crucial for improving healthcare access across Uttar Pradesh.

With inputs from PTI