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MUMBAI: Saying that upholding a child’s right to health is the state’s responsibility, a PIL filed in the Bombay high court calls for reopening of Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children in Parel at the earliest. The hospital was closed for renovation in 2009.The petition filed by health rights activist Kamayani Mahabal, through her advocate Vijay Hiremath, has impleaded the Wadia Trust and the BMC—which jointly run the hospital— the public health department and the hospital.

She alleged that no steps had been taken by the respondents to take up the renovation and complete it at the earliest. Even the BMC in its August 2011 reply under the Right to Information Act had confirmed that no permission was sought. She has also urged that the respondents be restrained from creating third right on the premises.

According to her petition, on May 15, 2009 the acting dean issued a circular stating that due to renovation, the services were being shifted to the maternity hospital in the next compound with immediate effect. The hospital has 34 paramedical, 123 medical and around 120 menial staff.

Mahabal’s petition states that the hospital is run exclusively for children and its annual reports show that lakhs of children visit it for various ailments and are also treated as indoor patients. She says the functioning of two hospitals from one premises is causing severe hardship and inconvenience as it has lead to overcrowding.

Mahabal said various organizations have written to the respondents to restart the hospital but got no response. “The right to health is a fundamental right. Child’s right to health… This is the responsibility of the state,” the PIL adds.

 

 Raed  mor ehere- http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/PIL-calls-for-early-reopening-of-Parel-childrens-hospital/articleshow/40351819.cms