Have Decided To Give 'Ivermectin' To All Suspected/Symptomatic COVID Patients, Float Tender For Vaccines: Goa Govt. To Bombay High Court

A vacation bench of Justice S. C. Gupte and Justice M. S. Sonak noted thus while hearing a clutch of PILs about the Covid-19 management in the state.

The issues dealt with by the Court

Use of Ivermectin

As regards the use of Ivermectin, an advocate for one of the petitioners objected to the state government's prescription of Ivermectin even to healthy patients (even if they do not show COVID symptoms).

The issue raised by the petitioner concerned mainly its prophylactic use and thus, the State Government submitted that though the expert committee of the State, had recommended even prophylactic use of Ivermectin, however, for the present, Ivermectin, was being given to all suspected and symptomatic patients only.

To this, the Court noted,

"It does not appear that as of now the State has been promoting prophylactic use of medicines. In case however the State does so in future, it will be open for the petitioners to raise appropriate objections and the matter in that case will be dealt with by this Court in its further orders to be passed."

Oxygen supply in the State of Goa

The State submitted that at present there has been adequate oxygen supply in the State and none of the treating hospitals including GMC is facing any shortage.

It is submitted that out of the total requirement of 55 metric tonnes of Oxygen per day for the State of Goa, about 46 metric tonnes are being allotted by the Central Government, whereas 15 metric tonnes per day of Oxygen are being generated by four units.

It was also stated that the State Government was in the process of installing PSA Plants which have been sanctioned by the Central Government at various sites in the State and also, that the State has a buffer supply of Oxygen Flow Meters, Oximeters, and essential medicines.

Vaccines

The State also submitted that it is in the process of carrying on a sustained campaign to educate the populace on the importance of vaccination and see that people from the age group of 45+ do come forward for vaccination.

The State also stated that it was issuing tenders for procuring doses from private suppliers. To this, the Court directed the State to indicate, in concrete terms, the number of doses to be procured by the State as well as the timeline for procuring them.

Mucormycosis

The Court noted that the State had come up with an adequate response and also placed on record the protocol set up by it for detection and treatment of Mucormycosis.

The State also indicated its preparedness with medicines and other infrastructure for the future upsurge and treatment of Mucormycosis as a result of post-Covid complications.

Lastly, the Court asked the State to give an update of the stock of medicines to be received from the Union for this particular treatment on the next date.

The Court also directed the State Government to carry out an electrical audit of equipment used by Covid Hospitals and Covid Care Centers in accordance with the available standard protocol, whilst carrying out fire audit in compliance of the directions of the Supreme Court in this behalf

Lastly, the Court also directed the State Government to make an endeavor to obtain a checklist from each village panchayat in the State towards its community preparedness for Covid-19 response in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedure on Covid-19 containment and management in peri-urban, rural, and tribal areas, issued by Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 16.05.2021.

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