The Chhattisgarh High Court has issued a strict three-week directive to the state's Health Department, demanding the immediate operationalization of a newly constructed community health centre building in Bilaspur district. This order comes as a response to the appalling conditions reported at the existing facility.
Court Takes Suo Motu Action on Dilapidated Hospital Conditions
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru initiated the hearing based on a news report. The report had exposed the "dilapidated condition" of the 30-bedded Takhatpur Community Health Centre (CHC). The court noted with concern that patients at the centre were being exposed to potential infections due to severely unhygienic surroundings, highlighting a critical failure in basic healthcare standards.
Body Kept in Hospital Corridor: Health Department's Explanation Rejected
During the proceedings, the gravity of the situation was further underscored by a disturbing incident from 11 December 2025. The Health Secretary filed an affidavit concerning an accident victim whose body was kept overnight inside the main hospital building instead of the mortuary. The department's justification was that the body was wrapped and placed under CCTV surveillance for security, as the designated mortuary—located 1.5 km away—lacked camera facilities.
The bench, however, expressed strong dissatisfaction with this explanation. The court firmly stated that a dedicated mortuary must be used for its intended purpose and that keeping bodies within active treatment areas where patients are present is completely unacceptable.
New Building Ready, But Not Functional
The state government informed the court that a new building for the Takhatpur CHC has already been constructed and is equipped with superior infrastructure and medical facilities. Despite this positive development, the building remains non-operational, prolonging the public's reliance on the decrepit old facility.
Taking a firm stand, the bench observed, "We hope and trust that the Secretary concerned shall take necessary steps for making operational the new building of the Community Health Centre, Takhatpur, within a period of three weeks from today." This order places direct responsibility on the Health Secretary to ensure swift compliance.
Broadening the scope of the public interest litigation, the High Court also raised pertinent questions regarding the functioning of Outpatient Departments (OPDs) across state-run hospitals on Sundays. This indicates the court's intent to scrutinize broader systemic issues in Chhattisgarh's public healthcare delivery beyond the immediate case.
The court's intervention signals a much-needed push for accountability and action in upgrading rural healthcare infrastructure, a matter of urgent public welfare for the residents of Bilaspur district.
