The Bombay High Court issued a landmark order requiring all educational institutions in Maharashtra to provide adequate first aid and medical facilities on their premises.
Court’s Observations: A division bench comprising Justices Nitin Jamdar and Milind Sathaye emphasized the necessity of immediate medical response within educational institutions, especially in larger cities like Mumbai where students and staff spend considerable time away from home.
Necessity for Medical Facilities: The court highlighted that medical emergencies could arise due to various activities and commuting demands. Current ad-hoc responses, like transporting patients to nearby hospitals, often lead to dangerous delays. Hence, a structured approach with legal mandates is essential to ensure immediate medical attention on campus.
Government Circular: The State’s Higher and Technical Education Department issued a Circular on July 10, 2024, directing schools and colleges to:
- Implement compulsory student insurance as per previous Government Resolutions.
- Establish first aid cum sick rooms of at least 20 square meters.
- Ensure first aid kits are available in all departments.
- Organize medical training and annual health camps for students and staff.
- Display information about ambulance services and nearby hospitals.
- Appoint and train coordinators for handling emergencies.
- Collaborate with local doctors for on-call services.
- Provide emergency vehicles for hospital transportation.
Court’s Directives: Acknowledging the Circular, the court issued additional directions to ensure effective compliance:
- The Higher and Technical Education Department must specify legal actions for non-compliance.
- The Circular must be widely publicized through media and social media.
- A helpline and social media presence should be established for reporting non-compliance.
- The Education Department should issue a similar circular within a month.
Case Background: The directives stemmed from a plea by a woman whose daughter died due to the lack of timely medical assistance at her college in Mumbai. The college refuted the allegations, citing existing insurance and hospital expenses covered for the girl. However, the court found the institution’s efforts insufficient.
The court’s order mandates educational institutions to adopt comprehensive measures ensuring immediate medical assistance, thereby safeguarding the health and lives of students and staff.