Calcutta High Court Seeks State's Response On Covid Treatment Rates, Allocation And Pricing Of Vaccines, Welfare Schemes For Covid Victims' Kin

The division bench has issued notice to the State Government and sought its response on the concerns raised by the petitioners. In its order dated June 16, 2021 the Bench has sought a response from the Advocate General of West Bengal regarding the following issues,

Rural-urban distribution of population in West Bengal:

The State was directed by the Court to provide data pertaining to the percentage of population currently residing in urban and rural areas respectively. The data sought had to specify the percentage distribution of population by various age groups- 18 to 45 years, 45 to 60 years and 60 years and above.

Vaccination figures:

An enquiry was made regarding the number of vials of different vaccines made available to the State till date and the number of persons who could be vaccinated with the aforesaid vials.

Vaccination program for lawyers and court staff:

The Court vide the order enquired as to whether the state government had devised any vaccination program to inoculate advocates, advocates' clerks and court staff. "Justice delivery system cannot be treated as an ordinary Government Department as access to justice cannot be curtailed", the order observed.

Data regarding the procurement of vaccines by the State:

Data was also sought regarding the number of vaccines procured by the State on a periodic basis and the percentage thereof supplied by the State to the private hospitals.

Data pertaining to the allocation of vaccines in government and private hospitals:

The Respondent was directed to submit information regarding the number of doses allocated to government hospitals and private hospitals respectively out of the total procured vaccines by the State. If any amount was charged from the private hospitals, the details thereof was also sought.

Rate of COVID-19 infection even after the administration of first and second doses of vaccine:

The Court sought official figures from the State relating to the percentage of population who tested positive even after the administration of the first and second doses of vaccines respectively.

Cap on the amount charged by private hospitals for vaccination:

The Bench enquired from the State vide the order as to whether private hospitals were charging people separately for vaccination. "Whether the amount has been fixed by the State Government or the private hospitals are at liberty to fix their own charges?" the order enquired.

Scheme for vaccination of elderly/differently abled people:

The State was directed to submit information regarding any scheme that the government had undertaken to simplify the accessibility of vaccination for elderly and differently-abled people as well as those living in old-age homes.

Vaccination schemes for the vulnerable and marginalised populace:

An enquiry was sought as to whether the state government had devised any vaccination schemes for the disadvantaged and vulnerable populace such as the employees of large labour intensive industrial units, transgenders, children living in orphanages and sex workers.

Exorbitant rates charged by private ambulance operators:

The Bench vide the order observed that "amount being charged from the patients and the families of the deceased by the private ambulances is another issue on which lot of hue and cry is raised". As a result the State was directed to submit information as to whether any fixed rates had been imposed by the government and the system to monitor such instances of exorbitant pricing of healthcare facilities.

Charges fixed by the Government for COVID-19 testing in a private hospitals:

The Court vide the order also posed a query as to whether the state government had fixed any charges for COVID-19 testing in private hospitals.

Online registration for vaccination:

The Respondent was also asked to answer as to whether there existed any mechanism for online registration for vaccination.

Information regarding availability of beds in different hospitals:

The State was also directed to respond as to whether there existed any mechanism through which the public could easily access information regarding the availability of beds and ventilators in different hospitals.

Cap on treatment cost of COVID-19 patients at private hospitals:

The State was directed to provide information regarding the introduction of any guidelines pertaining to the cap on treatment costs for COVID-19 patients at private healthcare facilities.

Data pertaining to the death of frontline workers:

The Court directed the State to furnish data regarding the death of frontline workers and government officials due to Covid and also enquired as to whether their families would be eligible for any special schemes or benefits in addition to the existing terminal benefits.

Welfare scheme for Covid Victims' families:

The State was directed to provide information regarding the introduction of any welfare scheme for extending financial assistance to the families of Covid victims particularly those families who have lost their primary bread earners.

System for disposal of medical waste:

The order also directed the Respondent to provide details about the system of disposal of medical waste generated due to the pandemic in various public places such as government hospitals, private hospitals, airports, malls and others.

After seeking an adjournment from the Court on June 21, 2021, the Advocate General has sought time till June 30, 2021 to respond to the aforementioned grievances.