Bombay High Court Demands Urgent Action on Melghat Hospital Expansion
In a significant development, the Bombay High Court has taken a firm stance on the long-standing issue of malnutrition deaths in the Melghat tribal region of Maharashtra. On Thursday, the court directed the state government to submit a detailed status report and a probable timeline within two weeks regarding the expansion of a district hospital in Dharni, Amravati district.
Court Expresses Anguish Over Unabated Tribal Deaths
A division bench comprising Justices R V Ghuge and Abhay Mantri voiced deep concern over the persistent fatalities among tribal children in Melghat and Dharni. "Babies are dying. They are dying for want of food and crucial medical attention... their ribs and bones can be seen," the bench remarked, highlighting the severity of the crisis. The court noted that this vexed question has been before it for over two decades, underscoring the failure to extend adequate medical facilities to the region.
Petitioners Highlight Government Inaction and Priorities
Jugalkishor Gilda, counsel for the petitioners, pointed out a stark contrast in government spending. He argued that while the state allocates thousands of crores for schemes like Laadki Bahin, which benefits those 'sitting at home', infants and adults in Melghat continue to perish due to malnutrition. Gilda informed the court that not a single brick has been laid for the proposed 300-bed hospital expansion, despite the government's March 18 decision to upgrade the facility from 100 beds.
Historical Context and Ongoing Litigation
The bench emphasized the tragedy of the situation, stating that child and maternal deaths persist even 25 years after initial High Court orders, which "speaks louder than words." Justice Ghuge, while dictating the order in a public interest litigation (PIL) initiated in 2007, lamented the need to hear submissions on deaths caused by malnutrition, lack of medication, and inadequate medical support for vulnerable groups like pregnant women and lactating mothers. The PIL has highlighted Melghat's plight since the first batch of petitions in 1993.
Infrastructure and Funding Challenges Exposed
The court recorded Gilda's submission regarding critical infrastructure issues. He revealed that gram panchayats lack funds to pay electricity dues amounting to approximately Rs 30 crore for Melghat and Rs 148 crore across Amravati's tribal regions. This shortfall threatens to cut off water supply by March 31, as pumps will cease functioning without power. The bench acknowledged systemic delays, noting that "files moved slowly from department to department, approvals sought were stuck, and lack of funds is a major issue with the government."
Expert Testimony and State Response
At the request of advocate Uday Warunjikar, the court heard extensive submissions from Dr. Ashish Satav of Mahan Trust, who works in remote areas of Melghat treating malnourished infants. Dr. Satav recommended training local youth as counsellors and ensuring the state meets therapeutic nutritional needs. In response, state additional government pleader Bhupesh Samant stated that 121 blood bags had been sent to Mahan Trust hospital since November 2024 for trial areas, with testing costs covered for private hospitals but free for government facilities. However, Dr. Satav countered that the trust had to pay for these blood bags while providing free treatment to children.
Call for Accountability and Timely Action
The Bombay High Court's directive underscores an urgent call for accountability from the Maharashtra government. With malnutrition deaths continuing unabated, the court's demand for a concrete timeline on hospital expansion aims to catalyze long-overdue action in addressing the healthcare crisis in Melghat's tribal belt.
