Morung Express news
Kohima | May 26
After taking suo moto cognizance over the 2nd wave of the COVID-19 situation in the state, the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench has directed the State government to take compliance on the directions given and observations made and listed the matter for hearing after two weeks.
A division bench comprising Justice S Serto and Justice S Hukato Swu first heard the PIL on May 5 on Suo Moto and subsequently on May 24 directed the State government to designate isolation centres, facilitate free testing, ramp-up testing at the same time, explore feasibility of establishing RT-PCR testing facilities, increase the number of vaccination days, submit reports of workforce availability at PHCs, CHCs and district hospitals, review burial charges among others.
The bench asked the State government to designate isolation centres and mobilize surveillance teams to verify home isolation facilities after it observed that the State Government set up quarantine centers for last year but such move was absent during the 2nd wave. “Instead home isolation for those infected with COVID have been by and large put to practice,” it observed.
While asking the State government to designate place(s) for isolation in case a family is found without facility for home quarantine, that person should be allowed to stay under home isolation while taking care of their medical needs and other needs only if such facilities are found, it added.
“The State Government may explore possibilities of involving Village Councils/Churches and other CSOs and authorities concerned of the wards (in the case of towns) to set up such facilities,” the Court stated.
The Court also highlighted the need for free testing of individuals coming out voluntarily and ramping up testing by increasing testing facilities at PHCs and CHCs level after it viewed that only free testing is facilitated for random testing.
“We are aware that RT-PCR testing facilities are available only at 3 places i.e. at Dimapur, Kohima and Tuensang. The State may explore feasibility of establishing such facilities even at other strategic places. However, for the PHCs and CHCs facilities of testing by True Nat or Rapid Antigen Test may serve the purpose,” the bench stated.
With regard to the ongoing vaccination drive, the Court asked the concerned authorities to increase the number of vaccination days for the age group of 18 to 44 years and undertake the drive on war footing while acquiring the vaccine at the earliest.
It was informed to the Court that so far 1,81,443 persons who are above 45 years of age inclusive of frontline and health workers have been vaccinated and out of that 51,650 persons have been given 2nd dose. On May 12, 36,580 doses of Covishield arrived in the State for administering to people with 18 years to 44 years of age.
The Court also asked the government to take appropriate steps in coordination with Doordarshan, All India Radio and other print and digital media to spread awareness so that any fear or reservation among people would be removed.
“For the aged and physically challenged persons, we are of the view that the State Government should make special arrangements to reach out to them with the vaccine,” the Court added.
The Court also asked CMOs to submit reports of workforce availability at PHCs and CHCs and district hospitals within the given permitted time.
Shamator CHC case
Reacting to a report in a local newspaper regarding the absence of doctor in Shamator CHC, the court ordered the State government to post the required number of doctors and other workforce within a period of 5 days from May 24.
On receipt of information on exorbitant charges for burials for those dying due to COVID infection, it asked the government to exempt charges at least for those who cannot afford it. “We also urge the Government to take appropriate action so that burial charges are not unreasonably high,” it added.
The Court further directed the registry to make the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare a party of the respondents viewing the nature and scope of the PIL.
The matter will be listed again on June 10, 2021 and the respective respondents have been asked to file affidavit of compliance on the directions given and observations made.
