SRINAGAR: Taking serious note of an acute shortage of life-saving anti-haemophilia medicines at Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar, the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has directed the authorities to immediately restore the supply of Factor-VIII and Emicizumab, observing that no haemophilia patient should suffer for want of these essential medicines. The court also directed the Principal of GMC Srinagar to file an affidavit within two weeks detailing the steps taken to address the shortage.
The directions were issued by a Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Kumar and Justice Mohd Yousuf Wani while hearing WP(C) PIL No. 8/2025, filed by the Hemophilia Society of Kashmir through its president.
Senior Advocate T.H. Khawaja, assisted by Advocate Naseer-ul-Akbar, appeared for the petitioner. The respondents were represented by Maha Majeed, assisting counsel for Senior Additional Advocate General Mohsin Qadri, and Government Advocate Waseem Gul.
The case came up on July 13, 2026, when the petitioner filed an additional affidavit in compliance with an earlier order dated April 8, 2026. The court granted the respondents four weeks to file their response to the additional affidavit.
During the hearing, Senior Advocate Khawaja informed the court that Government Medical College, Srinagar, was facing an acute shortage of Factor-VIII and Emicizumab, two medicines critical for the treatment of haemophilia, resulting in nearly 300 patients being adversely affected.
Taking note of the submission, the Bench directed the Principal, Government Medical College, Srinagar, to ensure that the deficiency is addressed immediately so that treatment of haemophilia patients is not disrupted.
The court further ordered that if the Principal has already placed a requisition for the medicines, the JK Medical Supplies Corporation Limited or any other authority responsible for procurement and supply must respond forthwith and ensure that the medicines are supplied without any avoidable delay.
To monitor compliance, the Bench directed the Principal of GMC Srinagar to file an affidavit within two weeks detailing the steps taken to restore the availability of the medicines.
The Public Interest Litigation has been filed by the Hemophilia Society of Kashmir over the recurring shortage and irregular supply of essential clotting factors at government health institutions, particularly the Day Care Centre at SMHS Hospital, Srinagar. The petition contends that interruptions in the supply of these medicines expose haemophilia patients to uncontrolled bleeding, permanent disability and life-threatening complications.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on August 10, 2026, by which time the court expects both the respondents’ reply to the additional affidavit and the compliance affidavit from the Principal, GMC Srinagar.
