‘Hospital or mortuary': HC slams SRN for deplorable condition

Time of India

24-05-2025

Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court has come down heavily on the condition of Swarup Rani Nehru (SRN) Hospital, calling it a "mortuary" instead of a hospital.
"Prayagraj is under the grip of medical mafias.
Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital attached to Motilal Nehru Medical College is in a pathetic condition. The poor and helpless patients are being dragged by the touts posted by private medical mafias in the hospital to private medical set up and are not being treated in the hospitals attached to the medical college," said Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal.
The court took a serious note of the report submitted by the two amicus curiae, appointed by the court, who as per direction of the high court inspected SRN and submitted their report highlighting the inadequacy of facilities in the hospital and non-availability of doctors in outpatient department (OPD).
It was noted that basic amenities like water, fans, and air-conditioning were missing in the hospital, while doctors were frequently absent. Brokers from private diagnostic centres were seen roaming within hospital premises, allegedly luring patients away for profit.
Hearing a PIL, Justice Agarwal on May 23 issued a slew of directions to improve condition of SRN and also directed the principal secretary to apprise about this order to state govt and place the same before chief secretary and if needed before chief minister for his due consideration.
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"Prayagraj has just witnessed Maha Kumbh in Jan-Feb, 2025. Swaroop Rani Hospital is just one km away from the mela area. According to estimate, around 66.30 crore pilgrims took dip in Sangam. The medical infrastructure of the city is in shambles. It was by the grace of God that no untoward incident happened otherwise there was no medical facility available for treatment of the patients," the court added.
"Prima facie, this court finds that nexus between private medical mafias and medical officers and staffs of the Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital has practically crippled the infrastructure and working condition," the court added.
"The state and district administration are totally failing in providing the basic medical facilities to the residents of Prayagraj who have just witnessed the successful Maha Kumbh in the city. The earlier affidavit filed by principal secretary, medical health demonstrates that cities like Lucknow, Kanpur and Gorakhpur have hospitals with a capacity of more than 2000 beds but Prayagraj has only medical capacity of 1750 beds despite the fact that biggest religious fair on the earth was held in Prayagraj," the court further said.
The court also came down heavily on the public representatives hailing from Prayagraj. "The representatives of people in the parliament and state legislature from Prayagraj are also not taking any interest in the welfare and well-being of the citizens. There are ministers in the Uttar Pradesh cabinet from Prayagraj, but they have not paid any attention to the deteriorating condition of the hospital," it said.
The court also directed the district magistrate, who as per court's direction was present in the court, to constitute a team of officials who would monitor and keep a check on hospital staff indulging in private practice.
While posting the matter on May 29, the court also directed the DM to ensure that the doctors attend the OPD regularly from 8 am to 2 pm. The residents of the Prayagraj must also be apprised of the doctors who would be holding the OPD during the week, the court added.