High Court of Himachal Pradesh Directed Additional Secretary (Health) to appear in person

Vijyender Sharma

SHIMLA-----Today, the High Court of Himachal Pradesh has directed Additional Secretary (Health) Vineet Chaudhary to the Government of H.P., to appear in person before the Court on 17.11.2015. The court has further directed respondents to file latest status repot in this matter within four weeks.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir and Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan has passed these orders in a petition taken up suo moto by the Court on a news item regarding non-operational of Life Saving Machines at IGMC Shimla.  As per news item, Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy ( CRRT) services are essential requirement for ICU care but due to lack of qualified staff, the CRRT machine have become non functional at IGMC, Shimla for last two years.

In a latest status report filed by the state, it was brought to notice of the Court since the sincere efforts are being taken up by the State to fill up the post of Assistant Professor, (Nephrology) but till date no suitable candidate has been found. It has been also mentioned in the report that since 2011 various steps have been taken to fill up the post through  Public Service Commission but no suitable candidate have been found by the commission also. The HP Public Service Commission in year June, 2015 has intimated that the post of Assistant Professor was advertised but no one applied for the same and such the post will be re-advertised shortly. It has been also pointed out in the report that letters to the various Medical Institutions in the Country were also sent to supply the services of eligible Associate Professor on deputation basis, but no response has been received till date.  

It has been further pointed out in the report that IGMC authorities is been directed to immediately impart the necessary training to the required number of staff. In addition, the IGMC is also directed to immediately move the case for creation of the posts of dialysis technician.

The Court after going through the status report has directed Additional Chief Secretary Health to appear in person before the court and further directions have been issued to the respondents to file fresh status report in the present matter.