Jharkhand HC Mandates Burn Care Units in Hospitals

The Jharkhand High Court has mandated the establishment of fully functional burn units in all district hospitals and government medical colleges within 120 days. This directive stems from the recognition that burn injuries constitute a significant public health crisis in India, demanding specialized and timely medical infrastructure.

Additionally, the court has ordered mandatory capacity-building for doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff in burn care within 90 days. These units must be equipped with trained personnel, necessary equipment, and complete infrastructure, not merely exist on paper. Essential medicines and supplies are to be consistently stocked, adhering to standard treatment protocols.

The court explicitly stated that burn patients should not be treated in general wards, except in unavoidable circumstances, and that round-the-clock specialist care and emergency treatment are mandatory. A state implementation committee, headed by the principal secretary (health), will oversee compliance and address deficiencies, meeting at least every three months.

Legal heirs of burn victims can seek compensation through the jurisdictional court, with the secretary of the District Legal Services Authority, Hazaribagh, directed to facilitate applications for those unable to file themselves. The court highlighted that the right to health under Article 21 necessitates the state's provision of specialized, time-sensitive medical infrastructure.