Maha govt told to pay Rs 90 lakh to revive TB sanatorium

The Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has ordered the state government to provide Rs 90 lakh to revive a tuberculosis sanatorium in Ahmednagar.

The order was passed after a local activist approached the SHRC stating that the sanatorium, which is set up on a 25-acre plot and was catering only to the destitutes, is in a pathetic condition.

According to the activist Aziz Khan Pathan, the hospital, which has a capacity of only 25 patients, is over burdened with 50 odd patients for whom it does not have the medical resources.

The SHRC chairperson Kshitij Vyas observed that the hospital has failed to make use of the premises and has misused the government grant. The SHRC came down heavily on the state for failing to provide nourishment and medical treatment.

According to the SHRC order, while the hospital is primarily meant to cater he destitutes, it is solely the government's responsibility to provide health and sanitation.

According to the reply filed by the sanatorium, a deficit of Rs 40 lakh was incurred last year. "An official application was made before the state finance Department. However, there has been no response," the reply stated.

The SHRC has directed state government to file a compliance report by May 15.