Seeks time-frame for such facility in new Medical Colleges
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 2: Division Bench of State High Court comprising Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice Sindhu Sharma has expressed displeasure over delay in establishment of Eye Bank at Jammu and passed certain directions to the Managing Director of Jammu and Kashmir Medical Supplies Corporation.
After hearing Advocate Navneet Dubey for the applicant whereas Senior AAG HA Siddqui for the State, DB observed, “order was passed by this court in the writ petition on 11.09.2012 for setting up of Eye Banks in Government Medical Colleges, Srinagar and Jammu. Even the funds were released by the Government, as is evident from communication dated 16.12.2015”.
“It was submitted by the counsel for the petitioner that Eye Bank in Government Medical College, Srinagar was set up in the year 2017, whereas the matter pertaining to the Government Medical College, Jammu was lingering on. As submitted by Dr Sunanda Raina, Principal GMC Jammu, out of 19 equipments requisitioned by them, 17 have been received. Out of which, 15 have been installed, whereas two are in the process. Two equipments are yet to be received from the J&K Medical Supplies Corporation Limited”, the DB further observed.
On the next date of hearing, specific affidavit of the Managing Director of the Jammu and Kashmir Medical Supplies Corporation Limited shall be filed stating the details as to when the requisition for the equipments was received and when the same was supplied in parts and when the supply of the entire material will be completed, DB directed, adding “the reason for delay in procurement shall also be explained. Details shall also be furnished about equipments procured for Government Medical College, Srinagar”.
DB further directed Commissioner/Secretary, Department of Health and Medical Education to ensure filing of affidavit of senior officer explaining the reason as to why setting up of Eye Banks in two Government Medical Colleges was not simultaneous whereas the funds were released at the same time.
“He shall also apprise the court if there were different specifications for the equipments procured for two Eye Banks to be set up in the State”, the DB added.
“Five more Medical Colleges at Baramulla, Anantnag, Doda, Rajouri and Kathua are being set up and more and more people are being encouraged to donate eyes but the strange thing in the State is that even for opening Eye Bank, intervention of the court is required”, the DB noted with serious concern, adding “it apparently means that the officers of the State are not sensitive enough to take the requirements on priority”.
Accordingly, DB directed that time schedule for setting up of Eye Banks in all the Medical Colleges in the State shall be placed before the court.
Dr Sunanda Raina, Principal GMC has further pointed out that for setting up of Centre for Renal Transplant in Government Medical College, Jammu, entire infrastructure has been created and even the experts are also available.
“Requisition was sent to the J&K Medical Supplies Corporation Ltd about a year back for procurement of the equipments. However, till date, nothing has been done”, Dr Raina said in the affidavit. The Corporation shall respond to this issue as well in the affidavit, the DB further directed.
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