[Order of the Court was made by A.SELVAM, J.] This writ petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to direct the respondents to supply life saving costly medicines to all Government Hospitals and to fill up the posts of pharmacists and staff and also to computerize medical pharmacies, by way of issuing a writ of mandamus.
2.Mr.M.Govindan, learned Special Government Pleader, has taken notice for all the respondents.
3.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner has vehemently contended to the effect that in some Government Hospitals, the patients suffering from cancer have been directed to purchase medicines outside and therefore life saving medicines are not available in Government Hospitals and further so many vacancies are in existence in key posts and under the said circumstances the present writ petition has been filed for getting the reliefs sought therein.
4.The learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents has contended to the effect that for filling up all vacant posts of various categories, proceedings are going on and further medicines are abundantly available in all Government Hospitals and under the said circumstances the reliefs sought in the writ petition cannot be granted.
5.The main contention putforth on the side of the petitioner is that life saving medicines are not available in Government Hospitals, Tamil Nadu and further some of the key posts are vacant.
6.Considering the nature of the reliefs and also considering that the reliefs in the writ petition have been sought only for the benefits of ailing general public, this Court is inclined to pass the following order.
7.In fine, this writ petition is allowed without costs and the respondents 1 to 4 are directed to provide life saving medicines to all Government Hospitals, Tamil Nadu and also to fill up vacant posts in all categories and also directed to computerize medical pharmacies within a period of six months.
To
1.The Principal Secretary, Health Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, St. George Fort, Chennai ? 600 009.
2.The Director, Medical Education, Directorate of Medical Education, 162, EVR Periyar Salai, Keelpakkam, Chennai.
3.The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, Madurai.
4.The Dean, Government Rajaji Hospital, Panagal Road, Madurai.
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