P&H High Court Reviews COVID Situation In Haryana, Punjab & Chandigarh UT

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday asked the States of Punjab, Haryana and UT of Chandigarh alongwith representative of Central Govt. regarding various issues arising due to Covid 19 pandemic.

Beside other things relevant health issues like shortage of ventilators in Govt Hospital Chandigarh, wastage of vials of vaccine, over burdened ambulance facilities shortage of medical staff, allocation of oxygen were also taken up by the division bench comprising of Justice Rajan Gupta and Justice Karamjit Singh.

The bench reviewed the availability of ventilators in Govt. Hospital, Sector 16 Chandigarh and noted that only 6 ventilators are functional in the hospital and despite large number of patients pouring in for medical help. The counsel of Punjab brought to the notice of Court that out of 82 ventilators supplied only 71 are faulty. It was highlighted by Punjab that there is an urgent need of Remdsivir Injections and 4 lacs of vials of covishield vaccine immediately.

The Advocate General Haryana submitted that medical officers as well as final year medical students have been taken in the loop for providing tele-consultation. The Bench also raised query about the wastage of vaccine in the State of Haryana, on which the response has been prayed to be submitted on next date of hearing. It has been also submitted that a cap has been put on the rates/charges of treatment by private hospitals and they are being closely monitored. About the spread of disease in the rural areas, it has been submitted that a plan has been drawn up and Senior Administrative Officer has been deputed for every District in Haryana to monitor the situation. That apart, Physical inspection in all rural areas/Districts is being carried out.

The Bench has directed submission of detailed report of the work done at ground level.

It has been further submitted by Senior Standing Counsel U.T that in view of the order passed by Hon'ble Bench dated 7.5.2021, a common strategy has been drawn up by the Administration of all the three Districts alongwith Directorate Health Services of all the 3 Districts i.e. Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali. It has been decided to hold meetings twice a week to review the situation and to take measures accordingly.

A meeting in this regard has already been undertaken on 11.05.2021 and it has been decided that In case of emergency anywhere in the tricity, the concerned authorities would provide oxygen, medicines and medical equipment like ventilators etc. to each other to avoid any untoward incident. That apart a request has also been made that a separate quota of 5 MT of liquid oxygen be exclusively kept for PGIMER. Steps had also been taken to ensure rational use of oxygen. A senior PCS officer has been deputed to see supply of oxygen to private hospitals as per daily quota, is made in time.

Additional Solicitor General of India submitted that after the order dated 7.5.2021 passed by Hon'ble Bench, Government of India has increased the oxygen supply to Punjab from 227 MT to 247 MT and to Haryana from 267 MT to 307 MT. He further submitted that the request made by the State of Punjab for supply of six more containers and release of pending quantity of Remdesivir injections and vaccine shall be looked into forthwith. As regards 71 faulty ventilators to the State of Punjab, he submits that the matter shall be examined immediately and necessary steps taken for rectifying the fault, if any, at the earliest. He further submits that sufficient number of PSA Generators have been supplied to various Government Hospitals in UT, Chandigarh which all are functional now. The request of 5 MT of oxygen for PGIMER exclusively, would also be processed expeditiously.

The Bench while addressing the issues directed that Nodal Agencies of all the Districts may monitor ambulance facilities being provided by private operators and voluntary agencies, NGOs etc. may be roped in for the service.

It has also been directed to examine the possibility of providing more ventilators to GMSH-16, Chandigarh hospital as the same is centrally located and patients normally approach the said hospital in the first instance. As regards the need for supporting staff, the issue may be examined by the Secretary, Health. If it is found that more staff is required in this emergency situation, he is at liberty to recruit the same on contract basis, in case a provision to this effect exists in the rules. It has been directed by Hon'ble Bench that PGIMER be provided full co-operation in every respect for its smooth and efficient functioning. It has been desired by the Bench that all the three States may impress upon the private diagnostic centres to reasonably slash their rates for CT Scan for Covid patients.

Lastly, the bench also mentioned that since under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) incorporated in Section 135 of the Companies Act, it is obligatory for the Companies to contribute at least 2% of their profit as social responsibility to the society in this period of crisis generated due to pandemic. The bench has left it to the three States to ask the corporate houses to participate in fighting the crisis by providing ambulances, oxygen beds, ventilators, CT Scan machines etc. to Government Hospitals so that economically weaker strata of the society has easy access to such facilities.

 Click here to read/download the order