Nagpur: The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has granted permission to the District Collector to defreeze Rs 3.67 crore, which were collected from various companies for the management and treatment of Covid patients but remained unused. The fund would be used for purchase of various equipment at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) Nagpur.
The administration intends to utilize these funds to procure surgical equipment and establish an anaesthesia unit at Daga Hospital, in addition to acquiring a dental chair for a rural hospital.
An application was filed to release over Rs 3.61 crore from the balance Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fund, which was initially deposited to the tune of Rs 23.57 crore from various companies and government undertakings for Covid treatment and management purposes.
The released money from the CSR fund was previously allocated for the installation of an oxygen generation plant and similar medical facilities, as directed by the court. Recently, the Collector had highlighted the need for medical machinery and equipment to enhance patient treatment in government hospitals.
The required equipment includes an ultrasonic cutting & coagulation device advanced with RF energy system, a laparoscopic system (medium end), an anaesthesia workstation for the surgery unit, as well as body weighing and height machines for the forensic medicine department. Additionally, central suction and oxygen pipeline systems are needed for wards and operation theatres, along with an advanced video polysomnography machine.
There is also a demand for a high-yield comprehensive dental chair and accessories at the rural hospital in Nagpur district. The installation of an anaesthesia workstation is also deemed necessary at Daga Government Hospital.
The court has directed the release of funds to the Collector and mandated the respective authorities to submit a compliance report to the Collector. The Collector is required to file an affidavit of compliance before the court within six months from the date of the order.
