The Punjab and Haryana High Court has expressed profound concern over a recent power outage at Rajindra Hospital in Patiala, highlighting the critical need for automatic backup systems in medical facilities. The incident in question occurred on January 24, 2025, when a power breakdown at 11:44 AM led to a 13-minute disruption in electricity supply. Notably, although a backup generator was available, it required manual activation, resulting in a two-minute delay before becoming operational at 11:46 AM.
This delay is particularly alarming in a hospital setting, where even brief interruptions in power can have dire consequences for patients, especially those reliant on life-support systems. The High Court, comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumeet Goel, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that it is "shocking to note that in a public establishment like a hospital... the electric supply was disrupted for 13 minutes."
In response to this incident, the court has directed the Chief Secretary of Punjab to submit a detailed affidavit. This affidavit must elucidate why hospitals, unlike other public establishments, are not equipped with automatic switch-over systems that ensure an immediate transition to backup power during outages. Furthermore, the court has requested comprehensive information on other public establishments that currently utilize automatic switch-over mechanisms and the rationale behind the absence of such systems in hospitals.
The issue was brought to the court's attention through a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Advocate Sunaina. The PIL underscored the incident at Rajindra Hospital, a premier medical institution serving not only Patiala but also neighboring districts. The court's examination of the report revealed a significant deficiency: the absence of an automatic switch-over system necessitated manual intervention to activate the diesel generator (DG) set, contributing to the prolonged power disruption.
The court underscored the imperative for modern hospitals to be equipped with automatic switch-over systems that facilitate instantaneous transitions from primary power supplies to backup generators. Such infrastructure is vital to prevent potential fatalities and ensure uninterrupted medical care.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the explanations provided by the State counsel, the court noted the inability to justify the lack of automatic switch-over mechanisms at the time of the incident. Additionally, the petitioner highlighted a subsequent power disruption on February 4, 2025, further emphasizing the urgency of addressing this critical infrastructure gap.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for February 25, during which it anticipates a comprehensive response from the Chief Secretary. This case brings to the forefront the essential need for robust and automatic power backup systems in healthcare facilities to safeguard patient well-being and ensure the seamless delivery of medical services.
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