Allahabad High Court Criticism Triggers Suspension of Four Staff Members at SRN Hospital, Prayagraj
In a significant development following stern observations made by the Allahabad High Court regarding the deteriorating standards and alleged irregularities at Swaroop Rani Nehru (SRN) Hospital, Prayagraj, four members of the hospital staff have been suspended.
The hospital, which is affiliated with Motilal Nehru Medical College (MLNMC), has come under judicial scrutiny due to its prolonged administrative and operational mismanagement.
The suspensions were initiated through a formal directive issued by the Directorate General of Medical Education (DGME), which sent the suspension order via email to Dr Vatsala Misra, the principal of MLNMC.
The action was taken in direct response to serious remarks made by the High Court during a hearing held on May 30, wherein the court expressed grave concern over the continuing disorder in patient care, sanitation, and general hospital administration.
The four individuals who have been subjected to disciplinary action include Gautam Tripathi, the deputy superintendent (non-medical); Ranjana Louis, a staff nurse; Manoj Kumar, a male nurse serving on a contractual basis; and Amarnath Yadav, the hospital’s sanitation inspector.
According to the DGME’s directive, three of these employees—Tripathi, Louis, and Yadav—have been placed under immediate suspension. Meanwhile, Manoj Kumar’s services, being contractual, are to be terminated.
Dr Vatsala Misra confirmed receipt of the official communication and stated that the necessary disciplinary actions were being enforced without delay.
She further added that the order had been formally conveyed to Dr RB Kamal, the Chief Medical Superintendent of SRN Hospital, for immediate implementation on the ground.
The inquiry, which was conducted in light of the court’s critical observations, identified specific lapses and negligent conduct by the staff in question.
Deputy Superintendent Gautam Tripathi was singled out for his failure to maintain administrative efficiency, with the inquiry report citing his role in fostering stagnation in hospital operations and inadequate supervision of subordinate staff.
The inquiry also revealed serious issues in the ward conditions. During an inspection, which was carried out in the presence of sister in-charge Ranjana Louis, it was discovered that patients were being made to lie on dirty and torn bed sheets, indicating gross neglect of basic hygiene and patient dignity.
Furthermore, Manoj Kumar, the contractual nurse on evening duty, was reported to have shown negligence in the execution of his responsibilities during the same inspection period.
These lapses were deemed unacceptable, especially given the critical role nurses play in ensuring patient safety and comfort.
Sanitation inspector Amarnath Yadav was also held accountable for the unsatisfactory maintenance of cleanliness standards across hospital wards, a longstanding point of criticism from both patients and external observers.
The Allahabad High Court had previously expressed its displeasure with the functioning of the hospital and had strongly criticized officials for their consistent failure to address ongoing complaints.
The court took particular note of the lack of timely disciplinary action, which it said reflected a deep-rooted indifference and systemic failure at various administrative levels.
The judicial observations prompted the DGME to take immediate corrective measures.
The court’s intervention appears to be aimed at sending a strong message regarding the accountability of medical and administrative personnel in public healthcare institutions.
In light of these events, it is expected that further inspections and evaluations will be conducted at SRN Hospital and other state-run medical institutions to ensure compliance with basic standards of care, hygiene, and administrative discipline.
The incident also underscores the need for systemic reforms and a robust grievance redressal mechanism within the healthcare infrastructure to preempt such breakdowns in the future.
