Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 25: Division Bench of State High Court comprising Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Tashi Rabstan today directed the State to file status report regarding availability of PET scan machinery in the Medical Colleges.
The direction was passed in a contempt petition filed by AV Gupta in Public Interest Litigation seeking basic facilities for treatment of cancer in the State and also to provide adequate number of Oncologists, Oncosurgeons, PET scan machines and all other experts in the relevant field for the treatment of various types of cancer in all the regions of the State.
When the PIL came-up for hearing, DB observed, “status report regarding appointment of faculty to different posts in Nuclear Medicine Department in terms of SRO 24 dated 10th of January, 2019 has been placed on record by the State Government”, adding “let the appointments be completed at the earliest”.
“So for as the setting up of the State Cancer Institute in Jammu is concerned, Sandeep Gupta, Central Government Standing Counsel has informed the court that he has received instructions in this regard that the Central Government was implementing Strengthening of Tertiary Care Cancer Facilities Scheme under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases (NPCDCS). This scheme has lapsed, however, proposal for extension thereof has been made by the Ministry concerned and is pending consideration before the Government of India”, the DB further observed, adding “it is submitted that for this reason, the amount of Rs 120 crore which has been proposed by the State Government cannot be released pending extension of the scheme”.
Accordingly, DB directed that the position with regard to this scheme and availability of the funds for setting up cancer facilities in Jammu be placed before the court before the next date of hearing.
Advocate Ajay Sharma for the petitioner drew the attention of court to the direction contained in final order dated 17th of February, 2016 whereby respondents were directed to provide PET scan machinery in all Medical Colleges which was required for proper diagnosis so far as cancer patients are concerned.
“Time of six months was granted to do so wherever machinery was not available. Repeated directions have been made by this court as well in orders dated 7th September, 2017, 4th December, 2018, 24th December, 2018 and thereafter. Unfortunately, this issue has not been considered by the respondents at all so far”, he further submitted.
On this, Senior AAG gave assurance to the DB that he shall place a status report with regard to the availability of PET scan machinery in Medical College(s) in Jammu at the earliest.
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