PIL seeking computerization of medical reports including post-mortem report: Madras High Court orders central and state governments to respond in 4 weeks
In more than 35 government medical college hospitals of Tamil Nadu, medical reports of legal importance, including postmortem report, accident/injury report, are still being handwritten. The Tamil Nadu government is not following the system of issuing these reports in encrypted digital manner and is still issuing handwritten reports, which is a major reason for various irregularities/malpractices. To prevent this, the National Informatics Center (NIC) had designed a software called MedLeaPR (Medico Legal Examination and Postmortem Reporting) in 2012. This software has been used by the states of Punjab, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh for the past ten years. National Informatics Center (NIC) had communicated the Tamil Nadu Government in 2013 regarding the availability of MedLeaPR software framework & instructed TN government to use the same in its hospitals. However, Tamil Nadu government has not responded to this letter for the past ten years.
A Public Interest Litigation in this regard is filed by Dr. Mohamed Khader Meeran, who is also the author of a book titled Patientsâ Rights in India.  This petition (WP(MD) No. 22823/2022) was filed in the Madurai branch of Madras High Court, through advocate Dr.Alagumani. This petition seeks to implement, MedLeaPR (Medico Legal Examination and Postmortem Reporting) software framework developed by NIC, in all the government hospitals of Tamil Nadu; and  seeks special training session for the doctors to use the software; and to order Private hospitals of Tamil Nadu to issue important medico-legal reports through this software.
This case, was transferred to the Principal seat of the Madras High Court in chennai, and heard by the divison bench comprising of  Justice Raja (Acting Chief Justice) and Justice Krishnakumar on 30/09/2022. On behalf of the petitioner, counsel Mr. Mohamed Ansar was present. He argued that the introduction of MedLeaPR software in Tamil Nadu government hospitals would reduce malpractices and no additional expenditure would be required on behalf of the Tamil Nadu government. After that, the judges admitted the matter for further hearing and ordered the central and state governments to respond within 4 weeks.
Petitionerâs advocate Dr. Alagumani said, âIf this software is introduced in Tamil Nadu hospitals, post-mortem reports can be issued in a secure manner with unique ID/password combination for each doctor and their respective digital signature. There is no possibility of making unauthorised corrections or fraudulent activities in it. As this software works through the internet, there is no need to buy separate equipment including a computer, just having an internet connection is sufficient.â
 Petitionerâs counsel Mr. Mohammad Ansar who argued in this case today said, âHonâble Madras highcourtâs single judge  had already issued an order to Home affairs department of tamil Nadu, to implement MedLeaPR software from January 1st of 2021.However, No letter/communication in this regard was sent to TN health & family welfare department, from the Home Affairs department of Tamil Nadu.â
Livelaw : https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/madras-high-court-seeks-centres-response-on-plea-for-digitisation-of-medical-reports-210820
Barandbench: https://www.barandbench.com/news/madras-high-court-seeks-response-from-central-government-tn-on-digitising-post-mortem-reports-medico-legal-documents
The New Indian Express : https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2022/oct/04/madras-high-court-seek-reply-fromstate-central-govton-plea-for-digitised-media-reports-2504717.html
MedicalDialogues: https://medicaldialogues.in/news/health/medico-legal/madras-hc-issues-notice-to-centre-state-on-plea-seeking-digitisation-of-medico-legal-documents-100138
Times of India : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/centre-state-told-to-respond-on-med-records-digitisation/articleshow/94631403.cms
