Cuttack: The Orissa high court has ordered a stay till July 3 against an April 19 order on the eviction of on-campus medicine stores in govt medical college hospitals, district headquarters hospitals, sub-divisional hospitals and community health centres following a batch of petitions filed by 59 owners of such stores. The pleas were moved against the order of Justice S K Panigrahi who had directed the eviction of such stores from the premises of govt healthcare institutions.
The two-judge bench of Chief Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh and Justice M S Raman issued the status quo on Tuesday on pleas from 26 medicine shop owners. The bench had earlier issued status quo on petitions filed by 33 medicine shop owners on May 9. The case will be taken up for further consideration on July 3.
On February 27, 2015, the state health and family welfare department had notified the decision not to extend the licences or issue new ones for 24-hour on-campus medicine stores in govt medical institutions for implementation of the ‘Niramaya scheme’, under which the state distributes free medicines and consumables to all individuals accessing healthcare services at govt health facilities. Those who had licence to run on-campus medicine stores filed petitions challenging the notification the same year.
A total of 146 licence holders were given nod to run the stores inside govt healthcare institutions across the state, of which 87 continued to operate following an interim stay by the high court, till it was vacated by Justice Panigrahi on April 19.
In his order, Justice Panigrahi had stated, “The free medical care policy (Niramaya scheme) by the state marks a monumental step forward in prioritising public health and welfare. By providing essential healthcare services and medications at no cost to citizens, this policy demonstrates a commitment to ensuring access to healthcare for all, regardless of socio-economic status. It not only addresses immediate healthcare needs, but also contributes to long-term benefits such as improved health outcomes, reduced healthcare disparities, and enhanced overall quality of life for the population.”
We also published the following articles recently
Robotic surgery key to enhancing healthcare access in northeast region: Experts
Establishing robotic surgery centres in the northeast region, like Swagat Hospital in Guwahati, with expert surgeons like Dr Arun Prasad, elevates healthcare access. Events attended by experts like Prof (Dr) Manjiri S shape the future of robotic surgery.
Robotic surgery key in enhancing healthcare in NE: Experts
Experts highlight the importance of establishing robotic surgery centers in the northeast for enhanced healthcare access. Swagat Hospital in Guwahati is the sole provider, offering advanced techniques and reducing patient travel. The region's potential for medical tourism is emphasized.
Hunt on for 3 who targeted jewellery store
Police search for three men in a burglary at a jewellery showroom in north Delhi's Dariba Kalan. Burglars posed as customers, drilled a hole in the wall, and stole cash and silver items worth Rs 13 lakh. The owners suspect the burglars struck after 10pm on Saturday night.
Minati Singha is a correspondent at The Times of India, and cover...
Read MoreMinati Singha is a correspondent at The Times of India, and covers education, health, art, culture and lifestyle trends. She is fun-loving and adventurous, with a ‘never say no’ attitude. Her hobbies include reading novels, listening to music and watching movies.
Read Less
Start a Conversation
Post comment