The High Court of Chhattisgarh at Bilaspur, in a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (WPPIL No. 27 of 2024), has expressed concern over the state of healthcare facilities in government hospitals. The matter was taken up on August 12, 2025, after reports in the media highlighted serious deficiencies at the Community Health Centre (CHC) Belha in Bilaspur and Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Memorial Hospital in Raipur.
The Court noted a report published in Haribhoomi on August 5, 2025, which alleged that doctors were missing during duty hours and that the X-ray machine at CHC Belha had been lying unused for nearly a year. In response, the Health Secretary filed an affidavit stating that the news was misleading. The affidavit mentioned that the X-ray machine was functional and had conducted 426 scans in July 2025 alone. It was also informed that the hospital handled an average of 250 outpatients daily and recorded 84 deliveries in July.
However, the affidavit admitted that several specialist posts, including anesthetists, were vacant. Due to this, emergency and night operations were not possible. The Court was also informed that while the hospital had a pathology laboratory, some tests were affected because of shortages in reagent supplies.
The Secretary assured the Court that an Aadhaar-based attendance system would be introduced from August 15, 2025, to ensure punctuality of doctors and staff.
The affidavit revealed that 52,278 patients were treated at the hospital in July 2025, while 15,039 patients were registered in just the first eight days of August. The State argued that despite the large patient load, no complaints of delay had been formally recorded.
“Though it is stated there are sufficient doctors, some posts are lying vacant and there appears to be overcrowding in hospitals. Reagents are also not being supplied, due to which tests could not be performed. Medical facilities during night are also not possible, though some alternative arrangements have been made.”
The Court directed the Health Secretary to take immediate steps to improve medical facilities, including addressing the issue of unhygienic surgical blades reported in various hospitals. Respondent No. 8, the Chhattisgarh Medical Services Corporation (CGMS), was also instructed to ensure timely supply of medical kits across the state.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on September 17, 2025.
Case Number: WPPIL No. 27 of 2024
