Handing over of key functions and utilities in the health sector to HLL Life Care Ltd by the State Government has come under judicial scrutiny with the Orissa High Court on Wednesday issuing notice to the State Health department and the company.
Acting on a PIL filed by Joint Action Committee of Odisha Medical Laboratory Technicians’ Association and All-Odisha Radiographers’ Service Association, Cuttack, through its chairman N C Das, a division bench comprising Chief Justice C Nagappan and Justice P Mohanty has directed both to file their responses within three weeks.
The petitioner challenged the MoUs signed by the Government with HLL for sale of medicines, setting up of Cafeterias, Life Care Centres and installation of Hindlabs in the medical colleges and hospitals and District Headquarters Hospitals.
Engagement of a profit-making organisation in such vital functions is against the interests of the poor patients of the State. There is also no administrative check or restrictions or even monitoring of the activities of the company. The petitioner, indicating other circumstances, has appealed to the court to quash the MoUs with the company.