Nagpur: Observing that Covid-19 virus has once again raised its head, the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court on Wednesday noted that the district is under health emergency and needs immediate steps to stop deaths.
A division bench comprising justices Sunil Shukre and Avinash Gharote constituted a panel named ‘Nagpur Covid-19 Committee’ under divisional commissioner Sanjeev Kumar and directed him to convene a meeting of all members on Wednesday itself at 5pm. The HC asked the panel to submit a comprehensive report on steps needed to tackle the emergency situation.
The directives came while hearing a suo motu PIL(No. 4/2020) based on TOI reports on bed shortage, where Shreerang Bhandarkar was appointed amicus curiae assisted by Nidhi Dayani.
“Health authorities are also experiencing dearth of doctors and nursing staff. This emergency is required to be addressed comprehensively by authorities to combat the return of pandemic.”
The bench observed all cities in Maharashtra are witnessing thousands of Covid cases. “In Nagpur, it is reported that beds in private hospitals are full and only few are available in government hospitals.”
Asking the Kumar-led committee to deliberate over the scenario, the bench told them to chalk out a comprehensive plan for tackling the pandemic. “It should spell out difficulties faced by health authorities and private hospitals. It should also give suggestions and solutions for dealing with the situation likely to arise in future and express its mind on other related issues.”
Directing the panel to consider regulating Covid-19 patient admissions in all hospitals, including private ones, the judges pointed out there are complaints about non-serious or non-deserving patients getting beds because of financial status or medical insurance cover. “Such regulation may be in the nature of some Central Admission Authority or any other suitable way. The committee shall submit its report on all these aspects,” the HC said before adjourning the hearing till Thursday 2.30 pm to be held in judges conference hall.
Covid-19 panel members: Divisional commissioner Sanjeev Kumar, collector Ravindra Thakare, NMC commissioner B Radhakrishnan, AIIMS director Dr Vibha Dutta, GMCH & IGGMCH deans, ophthalmologist Dr Anil Laddhad, IMA president Dr Archana Kothari, Vidarbha Hospitals’ Association president, MD medicine Dr Anand Kale, chest specialist Dr Ravindra Sarnaik, and MD anesthesiologist Dr Imran Noor Mohammed
HC directs extra manpower, expedited permits for AIIMS: The HC directed the new panel to positively consider AIIMS’ request for temporarily providing additional medical staff as per the chart mentioned in letter written to NMC additional commissioner on Tuesday.
Earlier, AIIMS filed an affidavit that 100 beds were added of which 25 will be converted to oxygenated ones by Thursday. For that it will require statutory permissions like fire NOC and occupation certificate from MADC, NOC for HSD Tank from Department of Explosives, NOC for DG set from electrical inspector, and grant of lift license.
The AIIMS also informed that it required the state’s support for additional medical staff such as eight specialist doctors (MD Pulmonary Medicine/General Medicine/Anaesthesiology), 48 duty medical officers (MBBS/BAMS), and 64 nurses for discharging responsibilities towards indoor patients. The government must consider bearing the remuneration of this additional staff, it said.
“We direct MADC, electrical inspector and department of explosives to grant necessary approvals within three days as per the rules. We direct the electrical inspector to grant a lift licence within four weeks. About the provision of additional medical staff and also payment of remuneration, call in this regard would have to be taken by the new committee,” the judges said.