Shillong, May 13: The cardiology department of North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) has been asked to file an affidavit on the reason that led to the recent passing away of a patient, while also directing the Medical Superintendent to ensure supply of requisite items to the cardiology department without fail.

This was directed by the Meghalaya High Court on Monday after hearing a PIL related to the standoff between the cardiology department and the administration of NEIGRIHMS that led to the shutting down of services of the cardiology department.

The Division Bench which comprised of Chief Justice, Mohammad Yaqoob Mir, and Justice HS Thangkhiew, passed an order asking the cardiology department to an affidavit by stating in a chronological manner how the patient was taken care of from 05-05-2019 when she was admitted in the cardiology department right up to her death with supporting proof”.

The order said that the 55-year-old lady had developed complicacies for want of immediate surgical intervention, that too according to the cardiology department for lack of surgical items.

“We shall have to see who has been negligent; both sides blame each other,”

The court also directed the medical superintendent of NEIGRIHMS to ensure supply of requisite items to the cardiology department without fail as 19 patients are waiting for surgery.

The NEIGRIHMS administration has been directed to file its response on or before May 16.

The bench directed the head of Cardiology Department, Dr Animesh Mishra, to file another affidavit as to whether decisions taken at the high level meeting headed by an Additional Chief Secretary of Meghalaya on May 9, were followed in letter and spirit.

The Amrit pharmacy was also asked to file an affidavit whether it has followed the decisions taken at the high level meeting.

Asking the medical superintendent to ensure supply of equipments required for treatment of patients ‘without fail,’ the Court has also directed the Head of Cardiology Department to send the requisition and other requirements to the medical superintendent.