The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the States of Punjab and Haryana to ensure that every district hospital has at least one CT Scan machine, one MRI machine, and an ICU with adequate bed capacity.
The division bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry was hearing a public interest litigation concerning deficiencies in healthcare facilities across the two states. The Court noted that additional affidavits filed by Punjab failed to satisfactorily explain why district hospitals lacked essential diagnostic infrastructure. It also recalled its earlier shock over the disclosure that the district hospital in Malerkotla did not even have an ICU.
Examining the status in Haryana as well, the bench observed that the position was no better. Stressing that health and well-being of citizens is among the foremost sovereign responsibilities of a welfare state, the Court held that the minimum expectation from both governments was the provision of basic advanced diagnostic and critical care infrastructure in every district hospital.
Accordingly, the Court issued a writ of mandamus directing Punjab and Haryana to purchase and install at least one CT Scan machine and one MRI machine in each district hospital, along with ICU facilities proportionate to the requirements of the respective hospitals. The bench specifically directed that these machines must remain under the ownership, control, and management of the district hospitals and not be operated by outside entities.
The Court also took note of alarming vacancies in Punjab’s public health workforce. It recorded that out of 3,665 sanctioned posts for regular Medical Officers (General) and 2,050 sanctioned posts for Medical Officers (Specialist), as many as 2,877 positions remained vacant, including 2,042 general and 835 specialist posts. Since Haryana’s affidavit did not separately disclose corresponding vacancy figures, the Court issued directions to both states to immediately advertise and fill vacant regular medical officer posts.
Compliance reports have been sought from both governments before the next hearing on July 6, 2026.
Appearances:
Mr. Bhisham Kinger – Petitioner in person.
Mr. Salil Sabhlok, Sr.DAG, Punjab.
Ms. Shubhra Singh, Addl. Advocate General, Haryana.
Mr. Abhinav Sood, Advocate, Ms. Ekakshra Mahajan Mandhar, Advocate, and
Mr. Arsh Bir, Advocate, for U.T. Chandigarh.
