In a first for Madhya Pradesh, Jaiprakash (JP) District Hospital in Bhopal has enabled doctors to appear in court via video conferencing, eliminating the need for physical attendance and setting a new benchmark in judicial-medical coordination. The move, aimed at ensuring uninterrupted healthcare services while expediting legal proceedings, marks a major step in integrating technology into public service systems.
On Thursday, Dr. Ravi Chaturvedi, a medical officer at JP Hospital, became the first doctor in a district hospital in the state to record his court testimony virtually. The system allows doctors to give witness statements from within the hospital, significantly reducing disruptions to outpatient and emergency services caused by court summons.
The initiative, implemented under the guidance of the Madhya Pradesh High Court and monitored by the State Health Department, is now being considered for rollout across all district hospitals. It addresses long-standing challenges faced by doctors who previously had to travel long distances to attend court hearings, often at the expense of patient care.
Dr. Rakesh Srivastava, Civil Surgeon at JP Hospital, called the move a landmark shift. “This initiative ensures that doctors can fulfill legal duties without compromising on critical healthcare services. It’s a balanced step that supports both the judicial system and public health,” he said.
JP Hospital has set up a state-of-the-art digital conference facility to support the virtual appearances, equipped with high-speed internet and secure communication tools as per court protocols. The system also helps reduce the mental and logistical burden on medical staff who are often called as witnesses in medico-legal cases.
The benefits extend beyond convenience—timely court testimonies, uninterrupted OPD services, and faster case resolutions are among the direct outcomes. The state health department is currently evaluating digital readiness across districts to scale up the model. If successfully replicated, the initiative could drastically reduce the pendency of medico-legal cases in the courts, improve coordination between departments, and become a model for other states seeking digital solutions to administrative challenges.
