J-K HC takes cognisance of cardiac procedures’ shutdown at Jammu super speciality hospital
Jammu, Dec 10: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has taken suo motu cognisance of the shutdown of cardiac procedures at the Government Super Speciality Hospital (GSSH) in Jammu after life-saving medical supplies were halted due to unpaid dues to vendors. Terming the situation a “highly sensitive matter”, the court initiated proceedings on Tuesday.
The J&K Health Department has started a detailed inquiry to determine the reasons behind the halt in services, fix responsibility and suggest corrective measures. It also directed the Drug Controller to shut down medical shops of defaulting suppliers for violating rules.
“Ex facie, the matter is highly sensitive. Thus, we are impelled to take suo motu cognisance of the prevailing conditions,” Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal said in their order.
The Registrar (Judicial) was directed to register a petition titled Court on its own motion versus Nemo in public interest and list it before the same Bench. On the request of Amicus Curiae S S Ahmed, the matter was deferred to December 29.
Citing a report in Excelsior, the court noted that cardiac services at GSSH came to a standstill after suppliers of emergency devices—such as stents, pacemakers, balloons and Cath Lab consumables—stopped supplies over unpaid dues worth nearly ₹30 crore under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY).
Ordinarily, the hospital performs around 25 cardiac procedures daily, but due to the supply suspension, not a single heart-related intervention could be carried out, putting critical patients at risk.
The issue surfaced during the hearing of four long-pending public interest litigations related to strengthening medical infrastructure and regulating private nursing homes in J&K. The Bench remarked that despite 15 status reports submitted over the years, the core issues remain unresolved.
The court issued notices to the concerned government departments and officers. Ahmed said he will examine all records and file a structured affidavit outlining the issues needing adjudication.
