Dehradun, Nov. 19 -- The Uttarakhand high court on Tuesday directed the state government to submit a proposal for constructing a multi-specialty hospital on the premises of the Bhowali-based TB Sanatorium in Nainital district by December 1. The direction came during the hearing of a PIL highlighting inadequate healthcare facilities in the state. A division bench of Chief Justice G Narendar and Justice Subhash Upadhyay issued the directions while hearing a petition filed by the Uttarakhand State Legal Services Authority regarding inadequate healthcare services in district hospitals across the state. Director General of Health Dr Sunita Tamta appeared in person during the proceedings. Dushyant Mainali, counsel for the petitioner, informed the court that in 2018 the high court had ordered the government, while disposing of a PIL filed by Nainital-based advocate and social activist Deepak Ruwali, to establish a multi-specialty hospital at the Bhowali TB Sanatorium in six months to address the shortage of doctors and paramedical staff in three government hospitals in Nainital. Mainali told the bench that during Tuesday's hearing, the government counsel claimed BD Pandey District Hospital in Nainital had adequate doctors, infrastructure, and additional land for expansion. He opposed the assertion, saying the hospital continued to face a shortage of doctors, paramedical staff, and necessary equipment. Following the submissions, the court directed the government to present a detailed plan for the Bhowali multi-specialty hospital by December 1. Dr Tamta told the bench she would consult the health secretary regarding the directive. The court observed that establishing a multi-specialty hospital in Bhowali would benefit residents of the region, reducing their dependence on private hospitals. The matter will be heard next on December 1. The petition also highlighted shortages of specialist doctors and paramedical staff across all 13 districts of the state, in violation of national health standards. It noted that residents in several areas, including Chaukhutia in Almora district, have been protesting the lack of medical personnel for a long time....