Due To Shortage Of Vaccines, Registration Of Persons Between 18-44 Yrs Of Age Isn't Being Done: Assam Govt. To Gauhati High Court

Appearing before the Bench of Chief Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice Achintya Malla Bujor Barua, the Senior Standing Counsel, Government of Assam appeared for the State of Assam and apprised this Court as to the measures being taken by the Government to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic situation.

• As regarding difficulties being faced by the villagers in getting themselves registered for vaccination on-line, the Assam Government submitted that apart from online registration, there are walk-in registration centers in the vaccination centers itself.

However, it was also added that as of now registration was being done only for persons above 45 years of age and due to shortage of vaccines, registration of persons between 18 to 44 years of age is not being done but it is expected that the same will be started shortly.

• As regarding patients suffering from other serious ailments such as cancer etc. and such patients finding it difficult to be admitted and get treated, the Court was informed that as far as Government Hospitals including Guwahati Medical College & Hospital are concerned, no such distinction is being made and even a cancer patient suffering from COVID-19 will get treatment in these hospitals.

• Dealing with the case of an old woman who was residing in the border areas of Assam and Meghalaya and who was denied treatment by Dr. B. Barooah Cancer Institute, which is not under the State Government (as she was suffering from COVID-19).

To this, the Assam Government assured the Court that she would be given all possible treatment for cancer and COVID-19 with the assistance of the Superintendent of Police of the concerned district.

• As regarding the issue related to the patients suffering from COVID-19 who have their medical insurance are still not being admitted in private hospitals unless they deposit money in advance, the Court was informed that the Insurance Regulatory & Development Authority of India had passed an order on March 4, 2020.

This order was passed to the effect that such persons who have medical insurance will not be denied admission in private hospitals if they seek admission in such hospitals when they are suffering from COVID-19.

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