The Bombay High Court has directed the Maharashtra government to take immediate steps to fill up vacancies of doctors and expert assistant medical staff in tribal areas of Melghat and Nandurbar that are known for high rates of malnutrition. A bench of Justices Naresh Patil and GS Kulkarni also suggested that the government tie up with some private health care specialists and hospitals to ensure that some doctors and essential medical aid can be sent to such areas at least in case of an emergency.

The bench gave these directions last week while hearing a bunch of Public Interest Litigations (PILs) highlighting hike in malnutrition deaths and illnesses among those living in Melghat region of Vidarbha and other tribal areas of the state. Different benches of the Bombay HC have passed several orders on the issue over the last two years, directing the state government to ensure those in tribal areas in the state get adequate nutrition, health care, sanitation, and education facilities.