Bombay High Court Urges Immediate Drug Supply for Mental Hospital Patients in Nagpur The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Monday took decisive action to address the critical shortage of essential psychiatric medicines at the Regional Mental Hospital, ordering an urgent supply of the required drugs after issuing stern directives to the authorities. A division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode emphasized the urgency of ensuring uninterrupted treatment for patients, warning that the administration must clarify whether medicines would be made available. If not, the court directed that the names of responsible officials be submitted for accountability. The court’s intervention led to the immediate procurement and delivery of the medicines within two hours. The court initiated a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) after reports highlighted that key psychiatric drugs had been unavailable for over a year and a half, severely impacting patient care. The Regional Mental Hospital in Nagpur serves approximately 300 outpatients daily and houses over 500 admitted patients, including nearly 280 men and 250 women. All these individuals rely on continuous treatment and medication to manage their conditions. Court-appointed amicus curiae Isha Thakre informed the bench that at least four essential medicines were missing, raising concerns about the adequacy of the hospital’s supply. While the state initially claimed compliance with the court’s directives, the bench ordered a verification process and scheduled the next hearing for April 8. The court’s intervention followed a media report published on January 20, which revealed that only 10 types of medicines were in stock at the hospital, while several critical drugs had remained unavailable for nearly 1.5 years.#nagpur #bombay_high_court #regional_mental_hospital #isha_thakre #public_interest_litigation
Mental Hospital MS Dr Humne Suspended, Transferred to Gadchiroli Nagpur: The Maharashtra government has suspended Regional Mental Hospital medical superintendent Satish Humne and initiated a departmental inquiry against him over alleged administrative irregularities, procedural lapses, and misconduct. During his suspension, Dr Humne will be temporarily assigned to Gadchiroli district hospital and is prohibited from leaving the headquarters without prior permission. He has also been barred from engaging in private employment or business activities. The disciplinary action follows a review meeting chaired by public health minister Prakash Abitkar last year and a subsequent probe conducted by a committee, which found the charges against Dr Humne to be prima facie valid. The order outlines several allegations, including negligence in duty, failure to adhere to prescribed procedures, and lapses in implementing key government programs. A competent authority has been appointed to oversee the inquiry, which will involve a thorough examination of records, written explanations, and statements from officials and witnesses. Dr Humne has been directed to cooperate fully with the proceedings and submit his response within the stipulated timeframe. The inquiry aims to assess the validity of the charges and determine appropriate disciplinary measures. The suspension highlights the government’s emphasis on accountability and adherence to administrative protocols in public healthcare institutions. The case underscores ongoing efforts to address governance issues within state-run hospitals, ensuring compliance with established procedures and the effective delivery of services.#maharashtra_government #satish_humne #prakash_abitkar #gadchiroli_district_hospital #regional_mental_hospital
