The Patna High Court has taken a serious view of allegations concerning poor administration and alleged medical negligence at the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH). The court has directed the Bihar state government to file its detailed reply within four weeks.
Court Takes Cognizance of PIL
A division bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Sudhir Singh and Justice Rajesh Kumar Verma, issued this order on January 6 while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL). The PIL was filed by advocate Bijay Bhushan Prasad. A copy of the court's order was made available on the High Court's official website this Wednesday.
Tragic Case of 3-Year-Old Awantika
The litigation stems from the heartbreaking death of a three-year-old girl, Awantika. She was admitted to PMCH on November 27 last year with fractures in her legs. According to her parents' allegations, the child was administered heavy doses of anesthesia before her scheduled surgery. This allegedly led to her remaining in a continuous unconscious state until she passed away on December 6.
Presenting the case before the bench, senior counsel Basant Kumar Chaudhary argued that the young girl's death could not be seen as an isolated incident of medical negligence alone. He submitted that it pointed towards deeper, systemic corruption run by what he described as "illegal syndicates" operating within the hospital's premises.
Systemic Issues Highlighted in Court
Chaudhary brought several critical issues to the court's attention. He stated that a lack of inter-departmental coordination and a dearth of essential medicines in emergency wards were hampering patient care. Furthermore, he highlighted the problem of rampant clashes between junior doctors and patient attendants. The counsel emphasized that these were self-admitted facts indicating that all was not well at the premier government healthcare facility.
Taking note of these serious submissions, the two-judge bench has sought a comprehensive response from the state government. The matter is now scheduled to be heard again on February 2, when the court will examine the government's reply.
The court's intervention underscores the urgent need for accountability and reform in Bihar's major public hospitals to prevent such tragedies in the future.
