Following Bombay HC's Rebuke, State Govt Agrees For Creation Of 1000 Bed Capacity Covid Centre At Indoor Stadium In Nagpur [Read Order]

The above assurance was given to the division bench of Justice RK Deshpande and Justice PV Ganediwala at nagpur because in a previous hearing, the Court lashed out at the State government for not responding to the proposal of setting up 1000 beds at the said stadium.

On September 15, the bench was informed that the State government is not responding to the proposal of setting up a 1000 bed centre at the stadium, out of which 400 beds shall be for ventilators and 300 beds shall be oxygenated. Court had observed-

"We are surprised as to how the State Government is not responding to such a proposal. The situation in Nagpur is dreadful. The death rate is increasing day by day. Mortuaries are full. There is a queue in crematories. The patients are not getting ventilators and oxygenated beds. The situation is becoming ferocious. Still the State Government is not rising on the occasion to reduce the death rate. We direct the State Government to take decision on this proposal within a period of one week from today."

Court had earlier this month taken suo motu cognizance of the issues faced by the general public due to non-availability of ventilators and oxygenated beds for Coronavirus patients with moderate and severe conditions in order to reduce the death rate in Nagpur.

In the September 15 order, after being informed about shortage of para medical staff as many were refusing to resume duty fearing Coronavirus, Court had sought a list of such para medical staff.

However, AGP Deepak Thakare informed the Court that the said Hospitals and Nursing Colleges have started responding immediately upon communication of the order of the High Court and the process of allotment of paramedical staff, in various Dedicated Covid Health Centres (DCHC) is going on.

In accordance with the previous order, Municipal Commissioner's counsel SM Puranik informed the Court that a list of Ayush Doctors shall be provided to work under the guidance and instructions of the senior Doctors. Consequently, appointment orders are issued to about 56 Ayush Doctors and out of it, 17 Doctors have already joined and rest of the Doctors are being persuaded to join the duties immediately.

"We therefore expect all such Doctors to rise to the occasion and co-operate in this situation", Court said.

Court had also enquired from the Municipal Commissioner whether there is possibility of requisitioning the Railway Hospitals for providing treatment to the patients along with the medical and para-medical staff. Accordingly, an order dated September 16, 2020 passed by the Commissioner, Nagpur Municipal Corporation was placed on record and the Court was told that the authorities of the Railway Hospitals are co-operating and the facility can immediately be made available.

Court ordered the Indian Medical Association to be joined as party respondent in the petition through the President Dr. Archana Kothari. Previously, the bench had expressed concern over shortage of doctors as well. Advocate BG Kulkarni, appeared on behalf of the Indian Medical Association and assured that a list of 100 Doctors, who shall be willing to work at various places, shall be provided along with the age groups, to the Municipal Commissioner within a period of two days.

Furthermore, a list of 20 persons shall be given to Adv SM Puranik and these Doctors can be assigned the duties immediately by the Municipal Commissioner. Adv Kulkarni also submitted that many Doctors have voluntarily offered their services through video conferencing who are aged above 65 years.

We appreciate this gesture of doctors voluntarily coming forward to involve themselves in this pious work, Court noted.

Finally, appearing on behalf of the petitioner in a matter tagged along with the suo motu case, Senior Advocate Subodh Dharmadhikari suggested constitution of a committee. Thus, Court ordered the constitution of a committee so that the issues can be worked out and the Doctors and para-medical staff can be made available immediately.

The co-ordination committee will consist of the following members:-

(i) The Mayor Shri Sandeep Joshi, Chairman of the Committee

(ii) Divisional Commissioner, Nagpur

(iii) Municipal Commissioner, Nagpur or his nominee

(iv) The President, Indian Medical Association

(v) Dr. Anil Laddhad to represent the private hospitals.

After various assurances from the Municipal Commissioner, Court observed-

"We expect that the problem of oxygen supply to the private hospitals as well as the semi Government hospitals can be worked out."

The next date of hearing is September 23

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