The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court has expressed grave concern over the accessibility of critical care equipment in hospitals, stating that government data on ventilator availability is “meaningless” if patients cannot access them during emergencies. During a hearing on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), the court emphasized that the state’s focus must shift from meeting minimum regulatory norms to ensuring that no life is lost due to a shortage of life-saving equipment.
A division bench comprising Justice Rajan Roy and Justice Manjive Shukla questioned the practical utility of the figures presented by the state government. The bench pointedly asked whether any hospital could provide an affidavit assuring that a ventilator would be provided promptly whenever required.
The court remarked that in the absence of such an assurance, statistical claims regarding the number of units available hold little value. The judges noted an apparent lack of a robust mechanism to assess actual demand and determine the precise number of ventilators required for effective life-saving treatment across the state.
The court directed the state government to revisit its current healthcare strategy. Specifically, it urged authorities not to remain satisfied with merely adhering to the minimum standards set by the National Medical Commission (NMC)—which typically requires ventilators equivalent to 10-15 per cent of hospital beds.
The bench stressed that medical infrastructure, particularly super-speciality facilities, should not be concentrated solely in Lucknow but must be expanded to other districts to ensure equitable access to healthcare for all citizens.
The hearing also touched upon the regulation of the private healthcare sector and the welfare of government medical professionals:
- Regulatory Framework: The bench sought information on existing frameworks to govern private hospitals and clinics, with a specific focus on monitoring service quality and the fees charged to patients.
- Brain Drain: The court flagged the issue of low salaries for government doctors, observing that financial disparity leads to a migration of talent toward the private sector, which in turn weakens public healthcare services.
The state government has been asked to clarify the exact proportion of the state budget allocated to the healthcare sector and provide a detailed status report on existing medical infrastructure.
The court has issued notices to the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the Central Government, impleading them as parties to the case. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on May 25.
