Telangana HC seeks govt response on alleged deficiencies in 102 State-run dialysis centres

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Tuesday directed the State government to respond to claims regarding the lack of essential equipment and facilities across 102 government-run dialysis centres.

The HC Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice Ghouse Meera Mohiuddin, was adjudicating a Public Interest Litigation.

Response sought in 3 weeks

A formal notice was sent to the State senior health officials.

The Bench has mandated the Principal Secretary of the Health, Medical, and Family Welfare Department, the Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare, the Director of Medical Education, and the Managing Director of the Aarogyashri Health Care Trust to submit their detailed responses within three weeks.

Private firms involved in working of centres

The litigation arises from concerns raised by Rapolu Bhaskar regarding the operational standards of dialysis units currently managed through Public Private Partnerships (PPP) with three private entities.

According to the petitioner, the State government remunerates these private companies at a rate of Rs 1,950 per single use of a dialyser.

It is alleged that over recent months, patients with renal conditions undergoing treatment at these State-affiliated centres have suffered severe health complications, with some instances resulting in fatalities.

‘Protocols for blood transfusions breached’

The petitioner further contends that several centres have failed to maintain proper protocols for blood transfusions and have neglected the administration of mandatory regular viral screenings, thereby exacerbating the vulnerability of patients to life-threatening ailments.

During the proceedings, the court noted the gravity of the assertions regarding the systemic failure to provide requisite medical facilities in the 102 identified centres.

‘Identify lapses in PPP model of centres’

The Bench emphasised the necessity of a factual report from the administration to address the purported lapses in the PPP model and the resulting impact on public health.

Consequently, the matter has been adjourned for three weeks to allow the State authorities and the Aarogyashri Health Care Trust to file their instructions and counter-affidavits regarding the safety and adequacy of the dialysis infrastructure in the State.