UP: Allahabad HC appreciates boost in medical infrastructure, capping of diagnostics fee

PRAYAGRAJ: Appreciating that some work has been done with regard to the improvement of medical infrastructure in the districts of Bahraich, Shravasti, Bijnor, Barabanki and Jaunpur, the Allahabad high court on Thursday directed the Uttar Pradesh government to add Bhadohi, Ghazipur, Ballia, Deoria and Shamli to the list for the enhancement of medical facilities.
While directing to keep a report filed by the state government in this regard on record, a division bench comprising Justice Siddhartha Varma and Justice Ajit Kumar observed, “We have perused the report and do appreciate that some work has been done with regard to the improvement of medical infrastructure and hope that similar efforts will be made in respect of other districts as well.”
“By the next date, the state government may further give a report with regard to the improvement of medical infrastructures in Bhadohi, Ghazipur, Ballia, Deoria and Shamli,” the court added while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) relating to Covid-19 care in the state.
In its order, the court also mentioned that satisfactory work has been done for the capping of fee for diagnostics in the state. “In respect of RT-PCR tests the fee ranges between Rs. 500 and 900. For antigen tests the fee has been fixed for Rs. 200. For TrueNat private testing has been fixed for Rs. 1200. The C.T. scan as per various slices has been fixed in the following manner: I. Rs. 2,000 upto 16 slices; II. Rs. 2,250 for 16 to 64 slices; and III. Rs. 2,500 for more than 64 slices,” the court said in its order.
During the course of hearing on Thursday, a report was also submitted by the committee, which was required to enquire into the treatment of late Justice VK Srivastava, a sitting judge of Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court, who had died due to Covid.
While directing to keep the report on record, the court added that it would be looked into on the next date and directed to list this PIL in the week commencing June 7.
The court also directed the Central government to come up with a stand with regard to vaccination of the physically challenged, who find it difficult to approach the vaccination centres. The court passed this order after the state government in its affidavit dated May 11, 2021, took a stand that it would adopt the guidelines of the Central government with regard to vaccination of physically challenged persons.