The Madhya Pradesh HC has directed the state government to finalize an action plan within a week for the digitization of medical records for the survivors of the 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy. According to a Press Trust of India report, the court ordered that the Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh, and the Director of Bhopal Memorial Hospital Research Centre meet within a week to develop a detailed plan for executing the digitization efficiently.
The Supreme Court had originally mandated the digitization of medical records for gas victims in 2012 to create permanent records of their health histories, ensuring proper treatment in the future. The court had also instructed the creation of ‘health booklets’ and ‘smart cards’ for each survivor, which should accompany them wherever they seek treatment. The procedure was to be completed within three months; however, 12 years later, it has yet to be finished.
The 2012 directive also emphasized the need to streamline and intensify epidemiological studies among the gas-affected population, while creating treatment protocols for various health conditions resulting from the gas exposure.
During a recent hearing, the court instructed the respondents to provide a clear timeline and detailed procedure for digitizing the records. The respondents revealed that medical records before 2014 are in poor condition, making it challenging to scan them efficiently. They estimated that only 3,000 pages can be scanned daily, which means the task will take about 550 days, though the timeline will become clearer once the scanning process begins.
The court also ordered the timely release of necessary funds for the digitization process and instructed the respondents to submit daily progress reports. The case was brought forward by a public interest litigation that called for improved medical care for the victims of the gas tragedy.
On the night of December 2-3, 1984, a toxic gas leak from the Union Carbide pesticide factory in Bhopal resulted in the deaths of at least 5,479 people and left thousands more with severe and lasting health problems.
The digitization of the health records is crucial for better management of medical data, facilitating easy access to health histories, and ensuring more accurate treatment. It also aligns with the broader trend of adopting digital healthcare systems, where individuals can store, access, and update their health information. With digitized records, healthcare providers can avoid errors, offer more precise care, and effectively track long-term conditions.
In a separate development, the principal bench of the Jabalpur High Court criticized the slow progress of the health department in the digitization effort. Chief Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Vivek Jain, who were hearing the case, instructed the relevant officials to finalize the action plan within a week. The next hearing is scheduled for February 18, 2025, when a compliance report will be presented.
