The Kerala High Court has instructed the Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KeLSA) to inspect government hospitals across the state and file a consolidated report within six weeks, in connection with a case concerning safety standards in public medical institutions.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji issued the directive while hearing a petition filed after the collapse of a building at Kottayam Medical College Hospital. The incident happened on July 3, resulting in the death of Bindu, a 52-year-old native of Thalayolaparambu, Kottayam. She was trapped under the rubble and rescued two hours later.

During the proceedings, the State Attorney informed the court that a Grievance Redressal Committee, mandated under the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2018, had been constituted by a government order on August 19, 2025. The panel will serve as a forum for citizens to raise complaints regarding the functioning of clinical establishments and government hospitals.

The Additional Chief Secretary, Family Welfare Department, further submitted that the framing of rules under Section 4(1)(e) of the Act has begun and will take about three months to complete.

The Bench stressed the importance of strengthening the newly formed Grievance Redressal Committee. KeLSA’s counsel informed the court that District Legal Services Authorities could carry out inspections of hospitals under their jurisdiction, focusing on infrastructure, hygiene, medicine availability, and staffing. Their reports would be forwarded to both the Grievance Redressal Committee and the State Government for further action.

Posting the matter after six weeks, the Bench said it expects the inspection and reporting process to be completed by then.
(With LiveLaw inputs)