Coronavirus: SC tells Centre to protect doctors and healthcare workers
The Supreme Court on Wednesday said that doctors and healthcare professionals treating COVID-19 patients are "warriors" and need to be protected. The SC also told the Centre to ensure personal protective equipment (PPE) and other facilities for healthcare professionals as the court heard petitions on the matter. The Centre assured it was doing its best and denied reports of salary cuts for hospital staff.
2-judge bench heard 3 petitions seeking PPEs for healthcare professionals
According to LiveLaw, a bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan and S Ravindra Bhat was hearing three petitions filed by Dr. Jerryl Banait, Dr. Arushi Jain and Advocate Amit Sahni. The petitions reportedly seek a direction to the Centre to provide PPEs, masks, sanitizers, and other requisite materials for doctors, paramedical staff, and other frontline workers fighting against COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019).
Healthcare professionals are warriors; have to be protected: SC bench
The bench said, "[Healthcare professionals] are warriors. They have to be protected," PTI reported. It added, "You have to think about how to start production. The service sector is working from home. Their well-being and mental health is also important." The bench also suggested to the Centre to create a district-level mechanism where nodal officers can take suggestions from the public on the matter.
Centre assured mechanism to take suggestions/complaints was present
The Centre, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, said they have a central control room with officials from Home, Health, AYUSH ministries which are also present at state level to take up suggestions and complaints. Mehta also said the Centre agreed to the prayers made in the petitions and told the bench that doctors and healthcare professionals are "corona warriors."
Will walk extra mile to protect doctors, Centre tells SC
Mehta said, "The government and police will walk the extra mile to protect doctors." He said to ensure the safety of healthcare professionals and their family members, doctors are also being housed in hotels.
Centre denied allegations of salary cuts for hospital staff
Appearing for one of the petitioners, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi argued that salaries of healthcare professionals were being cut, however, Mehta refuted the allegations. Mehta promised action if any hospital staff is facing salary cuts. Rohatgi also pointed out to COVID-19 patients escaping from hospitals. Mehta responded saying that police pickets have been placed at all hospitals to keep such people from leaving hospitals.
