HC asks government, IMA & DMER to provide doctors to AIIMS for Covid patients

NAGPUR: Nagpur bench of Bombay high court directed the Maharashtra government, Indian Medical Association (IMA) and Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) to supply a team of doctors to AIIMS for utilizing its 220 beds, including 30 ICUs with ventilators, for Covid-19 patients.
The directives came after AIIMS director brought to HC’s notice about shortage faced by them to manage their increased bed capacity. She informed that all 220 beds can’t be used for want of sufficient oxygen supply and an inadequate number of doctors. She made a request for immediately sending on deputation about eight to ten MBBS doctors, and if not possible, at least Ayush, BAMS and Homeopathy experts, who could be sufficiently trained by the AIIMS team.
A division bench comprising justices Sunil Shukre and Avinash Gharote asked the NMC commissioner and collector to select doctors having Ayush, BAMS and Homeopathy qualifications by issuing necessary orders and depute them at AIIMS.
“We also direct both to consider sending on deputation some MBBS doctors from GMCH or fresh medical graduates to AIIMS, before the next hearing. We find that the doctors’ need can be fulfilled if the DMER considers allocating bond services of MBBS graduates in pursuance of its April 16 notice in sufficient numbers to AIIMS. We direct the DMER to allocate bond service for such medicos in an adequate number ranging from 25 to 40 doctors.”
Earlier, IMA counsel Bhanudas Kulkarni informed that Air Force Maintenance Command was having its hospital in the city that wasn’t declared as Covid hospital. Therefore, some of its doctors and nursing staff could be requisitioned for serving at various hospitals, including AIIMS.
“We direct NMC chief and collector to make a request in this regard to the Maintenance Command commanding officer and inform the court accordingly. The IMA members must also consider the clarion call for their services by AIIMS. We would request all its members to volunteer their services as specialists there,” the bench said, before asking IMA to submit a list of doctors before next hearing on Thursday.
On increasing the oxygen cylinders supply to AIIMS, the judges said an appropriate decision can be taken in a day or two. “Till that time, we would request the collector to increase oxygen cylinders supply by issuing an order.”